Carmel M. Vreeke, age 85, of Manitowoc, passed away Thursday evening, November 17, 2021, at her residence.
Carmel was born on June 10, 1936 in Manitowoc, daughter of the late Leo Michael and Anne (Sweeny) Salutz. She was a 1954 graduate of Valders High School. On May 25, 1957, Carmel married James L. “Jim” Vreeke at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clarks Mills. He preceded her in death on March 5, 2012. Carmel worked as a Nursing Assistant at Park Lawn Nursing Home for over 30 years until her retirement. She enjoyed spending time with her family and dogs, an occasional beer and the time spent at Frontier Wildness Campground in Egg Harbor. Carmel was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Waldo.
Survivors include her three sons and daughters-in-law: James L.W. (Zeny) Vreeke, High Point, NC, Joseph (Sue) Vreeke, Manitowoc, John (Tracy) Vreeke, Sturgeon Bay; two daughters and one son-in-law: Judy Vreeke, Brown Deer, Jackie (Jay) White, Manitowoc; eight grandchildren: Jason, James Jr., Michael, Callie, Jessica, Travis, Tyler, and Isabel; ten great-grandchildren; one sister: Bonnie Johnson; one brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law: William (Jeanne) Vreeke, Surprise, AZ; Carol Salutz, Manitowoc, Dorothy Vreeke, NY, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Leo and Anne Salutz; her husband: James L. “Jim” Vreeke; seven brothers and five sisters-in-law: Gus Salutz, Leo (Marie) Salutz, Joe (Marge) Salutz, Bob (Pat) Salutz, Florian (Ruby) Salutz, Bill (Mary) Salutz, Larry Salutz; one sister: Ann Schuh, father-in-law and mother-in-law: William and Sadie (Horstman) Vreeke; three brothers-in-law: Robert Vreeke; Arthur Vreeke; Donald Vreeke.
A Memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Monday, November 22, 2021 at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, 928 South 14th Street, Manitowoc. Deacon Alan Boeldt will officiate with burial of her cremated remains in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Relatives and friends may gather for a time of visitation and remembrance on Monday at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friends and relatives may join a live stream on the Lakeshore Family Funeral Home Facebook page beginning at 3:45 PM. Online condolences may be sent to www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
The family would like to thank Carmel’s very best friend Bev Novak for her lifelong friendship.
