Madeline Van Oss

Madeline Van Oss was a friendly and fun-loving woman, with a spunky disposition that endeared her to all. She was vibrant and caring and remained deeply committed to her family throughout her life.

The year was 1923 and the country was entering the Roaring Twenties. In this year, Howard Carter unsealed the burial chamber of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, died in office and was succeeded by Calvin Coolidge. In Dunn County, Wisconsin, however, the big news was the birth of the Kraft twins, Mildred and Madeline, born on June 26, 1922, to Conrad and Mildred (Flick) Kraft. The youngest of ten children, Maddie and Modie as their family called them, were the second set of twins in the Kraft family.

A small farming community in Dunn County, Wisconsin was the site of the Kraft family farm. Shortly after Maddie’s birth, however, the family moved to Kiel, Wisconsin, where Conrad earned a living working for the railroad and later in the factories. A wonderful homemaker, Mildred was very busy raising the couple’s ten children (five boys and five girls) and learned to be quite resourceful when it came to feeding her rather large family. She was an excellent cook and the house was often filled with the aroma of her warm, fresh bread. Conrad and Mildred raised their children in the Christian faith, as the family was members of the Presbyterian Church in Kiel. Growing up, Maddie loved to spend her leisure time roller-skating, ice skating on the river in the winter and going to dances. After graduating from Kiel High School, she began working at Woodenware in Kiel making cheese boxes.

While visiting some relatives in Milwaukee, Maddie met the love of her life, Burton Foster Van Oss. After church on Good Friday, Maddie went to a restaurant in town for lunch when a handsome young sailor came in and sat at the table next to her. The two were introduced and had their first date (and first kiss) later that night. The young couple built a firm foundation for their everlasting love upon a strong friendship. Maddie always said that Burt was her best friend. They were happily married on February 10, 1945, in the First Presbyterian Church in Kiel. Shortly after marrying, Burt joined the many other young American men of the time bravely serving his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. After his honorable discharge, Burt and Maddie started their married life together in Holland, Michigan, where Burt was born. It was here that they welcomed the birth of their only child, daughter Lynette, on July 21, 1949, who was named after her Grandma Van Oss.

Maddie was a wonderful mother, who made every day fun and interesting. After Lynette was born, she stayed home to devote herself to the role of a mother. Once her daughter was of school age, Maddie began working in the lunch program at Waukazoo Elementary School. Later, she took a job at Baker Furniture and remained a dedicated employee for 21 years before retiring. Maddie started out as a sander with Baker, but worked her way up to being a second color person, a task that required great knowledge of what she was doing. Aside from working and caring for her family, Maddie enjoyed being on a Monday night women’s bowling league with some of her friends at Northland Lanes and golfed every Tuesday morning. She and her husband Burt both liked to golf and often sacrificed household projects to get a round of golf in.

The family had many fond memories of vacations in Wisconsin and camping at their trailer at Camp Chinook in Bridgeton on Muskegon River. They truly loved being by the water, communing with nature and sharing this passion with others by hosting coffee and Kool Aid after church at the campgrounds for many years. Burt and Maddie dedicated every weekend for over 30 years to enjoying the campgrounds and the splendor of nature together. In addition, they also spent a few winters in Florida and even went to Texas one year for a month. Maddie lost her beloved husband Burt in May of 2003. She remained a member of the Evergreen Commons community in Holland, where she enjoyed participating in the women’s sewing class as well as other crafts. Through the years, Maddie had three pet dogs with her most recent companion being Peaches. She stayed active in her community as a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Holland and a lifetime member of DAV. Throughout her life, Maddie was always proud of her German heritage and traits. Perhaps this was where her spunky, outgoing personality originated from, not to mention her ability to speak her mind.

Maddie knew the responsibilities of a mother, the attentiveness of a wife and a fellowship with humanity and nature. It will be her warm, friendly nature and good-humored spirit that will be missed and last forever in the memories of those that knew her.

Madeline Van Oss of Holland, MI, died on Wednesday, February 9, 2005, at Holland Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Burton Van Oss. Her family includes her daughter, Lynette Van Oss of Holland; sisters, Evelyn Schuler of WI, and Mildred Semph of OR; sisters-in-law, Lois Kraft of WI, and Sophie Kraft of TX; brother-in-law, Robert Van Oss of MI; and her nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service for Madeline will be held on Saturday, February 12, at 11:00 a.m. at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Avenue, Holland, MI, with Rev. Linda Knieriemen officiating.

Friends may spend time with her family on Friday, February 11, from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will take place at Rest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Please visit Madeline’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to First Presbyterian Church of Holland.