Rhonda Van Pembrook

She is the beloved daughter of Yvonne and the late Donald Van Pembrook. Rhonda is preceded in death by her brothers, Scott Van Pembrook, Jim Van Pembrook, and Michael Van Pembrook, as well as her grandparents, Laura and John Zoeller, and Camiel and Stephanie Van Pembrook.

She is survived by her dear sisters, Roxanne (the late Edward) Hedlund and Shelly (Dean) Neuens; and her brothers, Donald (Denise) Van Pembrook Jr., Mark Van Pembrook, Patrick (Tammy) Van Pembrook and Tim (Melissa) Van Pembrook; along with her aunts, uncles, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and too many friends to count.

Rhonda graduated from Florence High School in 1985 and was the valedictorian. She graduated from UWGB in 1989 where she earned the Chancellor’s Leadership Medallion and a double major in Spanish and social change and development,

Rhonda moved to Milwaukee in 1990 and began a dedicated career as a paralegal professional at Legal Action of Wisconsin. She worked alongside low-income individuals and families, the unhoused, immigrants, persons with disabilities, and all those marginalized by society to secure the benefits and support they needed. Rhonda was tenacious, never backing down in her dealings with state and local agencies, administrative law judges, and, at times, her colleagues, even when faced with insurmountable odds.

Armed with her knowledge, passion, and good nature, she earned the respect of the community, elected government officials, and agency workers. Rhonda was valued and sought out for her expertise, insight, and judgment. She served on numerous state committees and community coalitions. Her work has had a positive and lasting impact on those seeking benefits in Wisconsin.

Rhonda taught us all about loving people well. She embodied her faith in God, inspired by the Beatitudes, through her professional and personal endeavors. Rhonda remained a faithful Catholic, growing up at Sacred Heart Parish in Aurora and joining St. Sebastian Parish in Milwaukee. She organized the Winter Farm Market to benefit the parish and local farmers, and the Food, Faith and Farming Network. She served on various committees, including MICAH (Milwaukee Inner-City Churches Allied for Hope), a multi-racial, interfaith organization committed to justice issues of most significant importance to Milwaukee residents.

Rhonda was proud to have been raised on a dairy farm, where she learned the value of working hard with her family. She remained an advocate and supporter of farmers throughout her life. Rhonda coordinated food shares through Community Supported Agriculture. She enjoyed cooking good food and sharing fine wine with the people she loved. Those fortunate to be at her table remember many warm and loving gatherings in her home and the family cabin up North. Rhonda had a great sense of humor; she was spunky and enjoyed stiff cocktails and bottles of bubbly. She was a wine aficionado and elevated the palettes of many. She was known to pack champagne and wine glasses when traveling so she and her many friends could properly enjoy her favorite beverages.

Rhonda was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She could effortlessly create community with her down-to-earth personality and genuinely loving, kind, and respectful nature. Even as a 3-year-old, after she lost her hand in a farm accident, she would comfort those around her by saying, “I’m going to be okay.” She did not allow the absence of one hand to deter her from anything she wanted to accomplish. She was optimistic and determined her entire life.

Throughout her cancer diagnosis, as she wrestled with the incurable nature of the disease, she focused on the blessings in her life. She gathered her loved ones together and ensured that her friends and family were well connected because, as she said, “You are going to need one another when I’m gone.”

She was forever grateful to all who supported her, especially during her illness. She never missed an opportunity to thank everyone: her friends, family, doctors, nurses, interns, and even those who cleaned her room and delivered her food during in-patient stays. Rhonda was incredibly generous in ways that were too numerous to mention. Rhonda was well-loved by family, friends, and colleagues. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to be loved by this incredible human will forever be better for having had her in our lives.

An example of Rhonda’s optimism is in this quote by Julian of Norwich, which sustained her these past 18 months: “And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. For there is a Force of Love moving through the Universe that holds us fast and never lets us go.”

Rhonda, indeed, was a Force of Love in the universe.

Her family and friends would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Courage Clinic at Froedtert Cancer Center, the care teams at Horizon Hospice, Zilber Hospice, and the exuberant Father Peter Patrick for the excellent end-of-life care and support they provided to Rhonda, her family, and her personal care team of friends.

Services for Rhonda will be held on two separate occasions:

Her funeral will be Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 5400 West Washington Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53208. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the eulogy at 12:15 p.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m., with a meal to follow in the church hall.

A Celebration of Life will occur on Friday, Nov. 22, at Sacred Heart Parish, W778 County Road N, Aurora, WI 54151. Mass will be at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Homestead/Aurora Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, please make donations to Street Angels Milwaukee Outreach and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Sebastian Church.