Susann "Sue" Vander Wielen

Susann “Sue” Vander Wielen, age 76, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, 2026. She was born on November 15, 1949 to the late Thomas and Lucille Riley in Appleton, WI.

Sue graduated from Appleton West High School Class of 1968. On June 29, 1968 she married Peter Vander Wielen at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Appleton. Sue owned and operated New Homes Realty for over 40 years and proudly assisted many of her family members to find their forever homes. Sue was extremely creative and enjoyed scrapbooking and jewelry making, especially with her granddaughters. Her homemade gifts are something her family and friends will forever cherish. Christmas time was one of Sue’s favorite times of the year. She relished in planning family gatherings and always made sure she found the perfect gift for those she cared for most. She loved to travel and take family trips, especially family trips to Disney. Sue loved to shop and go thrifting to find all sorts of treasures and gifts for her family and friends. Her sense of humor and kind and caring heart will be missed dearly by all who were lucky enough to have known her.

Sue is survived by her loving husband Peter Vander Wielen; her children: Dan (Katie) Vander Wielen and Amy (Richard) Burnside; grandchildren: Trevor Hansen, Alex (Megan) Vander Wielen, Anna (Ethan) Mason, and Cole Vander Wielen, Emily (Joe) Orlowski, Aubrie (fiancé Max) Burnside, Madalynn (fiancé William) Burnside, and Brynley Burnside; great grandchildren: Lanie Mason and Charlotte Vander Wielen, Gavin, Luke, and Brecken Orlowski; siblings: Nick (special friend Gala) Riley, Mike Riley, and Kathy Endres; and brother-in-law, Joe (Marilyn) Vander Wielen. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law: Martin and Dorothy Vander Wielen; brothers-in-law: Tony Vander Wielen, Frank Vander Wielen, Ted Vander Wielen, and John Vander Wielen; and sister-in-law, Mary Vander Wielen.

A Funeral Service for Sue will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond St., Appleton. Visitation will begin at the funeral home at 4:00 p.m. and will continue until the time of the service. Entombment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton. For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

Sue’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Park View Rehabilitation Center and Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh for the great care and compassion they provided.

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