Bernard Vande Streek

Bernard “Butch” Vande Streek, 88, passed away Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 at Waupun Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.

Butch was born on August 14th, 1935 near Fox Lake. He was the second-born of four sons to Art and Tena Aalsma Vande Streek. Butch served two years in the U.S. Army post Korean War. He married Wanda Bruins on June 12th, 1956 and they built a home in Alto where they spent their first season of marriage before moving to a small farm near Waupun. Butch was a local business owner and a truck driver in the Waupun area. He especially loved his horses and sharing them with his family and community by way of horseback rides, hayrides, sleigh rides, and competing in local horse pulls. Butch built deep friendships with the neighboring Amish community due to his love of horses and delicious baked goods. He enjoyed singing in the Friesland Men's Chorus and duets with his wife, Wanda. Butch was always an active church member, serving on various church boards. He faithfully served in prison ministry for over thirty years, overseas mission trips, and hosted bible studies in his home. Butch loved anytime spent with family and was always encouraging. He prayed faithfully for them. Butch always put the Lord first and it showed in his love for others. The most important thing to him was growing in his love and faith for Christ and sharing the Good News to those around him. 

Butch is survived by his 3 children: Vicki (Marty) Houdek, Paul (Sherri) Vande Streek, and JanLee (Wayne) Knurr; 8 grandchildren: Luke (Julia) Houdek, Heath Houdek, Jenna (Rob) Beardslee, Tyler (Cassandra) Vande Streek, Derek (Kelsy) Vande Streek, Katie (Alex) Schlieve, Gretchen Knurr, and Emily Knurr; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Eleanore (Walter) Kasten and Nancy Vande Streek; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Butch was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda in 2021; and his brothers, Norman, Wilbert, and Conrad Vande Streek. 

Funeral services for Bernard Vande Streek will be held Monday, August 28th, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Edgewood Community Church in Waupun. Kevin Vande Streek will be officiating the service and the burial will follow at the Alto Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9 until 11 a.m.. There will be a lunch provided afterward at Edgewood. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Sharda, Rick Parish, the Waupun Christian Home, Waupun Memorial Hospital, and Agnesian Hospice Hope for all their care. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Compassion International, a Christian nonprofit that helps children in poverty with spiritual, educational and physical assistance.