Yvonne ‘Vonnie’ VanPembrook

When Yvonne was 4 years old, her parents divorced. Her mother moved the family to Kingsford, and married John Zoeller. Vonnie’s farm-life began at the age of 12 when her mother and stepfather moved to a farm in Aurora. She attended school in Kingsford and Homestead. Yvonne met and married Donald G. VanPembrook, also a farmer from Aurora, on Sept. 18, 1954. Yvonne made her home on the VanPembrook Family Farm where she spent the rest of her life. Yvonne enjoyed working alongside her husband and the 10 children they raised together. She said, “I never knew for sure if the farm grew because of the large family or if the family grew because of the large farm. It grew to one of the nicest farms in Florence County.”

Vonnie considers her most treasured years and her highest accomplishments farming and raising children who learned to appreciate the value of hard work and each other while sharing the good times and supporting each other through the tough times. Vonnie has a strong Catholic faith, which has sustained her through the sorrowful times. Vonnie credits a loving and merciful God who gave her grace to manage the difficult times as well as the ability to recognize the bountiful blessings that continued to pour down on her and her family.

Vonnie was a true servant who poured her love into her family and shared her wit and her wisdom generously. In addition to her family, Vonnie always found room for an additional mouth or two at the table.

While Vonnie loved the activity of farm life, she also found time to serve her community in many meaningful ways. She loved her faith community at the Sacred Heart Church, and she served where needed by teaching CCD, lectoring and making simple Baptism gowns for all the precious children baptized there for 40 years. A prayer went into each gown she made.

Vonnie was the first woman elected to the Florence County Board, and she represented the Town of Aurora for over 15 years, from 1980-1995. Afterward, she continued to serve as a citizen at large on several county committees that were important to her: land conservation and health. She found her years of committee and community service work both educational and stimulating. Along with other responsible community leaders and county board supervisors, Vonnie had the pleasure to have a role in the development of the industrial park, which allowed for business growth in Florence County. The county board members recognized that good jobs were needed to keep our young people in the area. One of the largest accomplishments of the Economic Committee during Vonnie’s involvement was convincing Pride Manufacturing from Maine to move to Florence. Pride Mfg. realized the abundance of raw material available, along with a dedicated and willing workforce, made Florence County the place to be. During Vonnie’s years of service on the county board, she also saw the preservation and remodeling of the historical court house, the construction of the Natural Resource Center, the First National Bank in Aurora and the Senior Housing Project in Aurora.

In 1992 Vonnie was hired by the Nicolet National Forest Service to help move into a new building of the Florence Natural Resource Service Center. Vonnie became the warm and welcoming greeter for visitors and customers seeking services or tourist information. During her 23 years at the front desk, she made many friends.

One of Vonnie’s final contributions to her community was her involvement in creating a 100-Year Aurora History CD for the Aurora Centennial held in 2017. Vonnie credits the guidance and expertise of Nick Jenson of Flo-line Media for this production.

Vonnie has always respected and appreciated the descendants of the large VanPembrook family, and for over 50 years the farm was the gathering place for their large family reunions. As recent as August 2025, another reunion was held with a prayer service and a barn dance. With the support and talent of many relatives these reunions become the party of the year.

Vonnie’s leadership, integrity, spunk, energy, work ethic, good humor, wisdom and her warmth will remain with all of us fortunate enough to love her and to be loved by her. Vonnie was a strong and compassionate servant in this beautiful life she has lived. Vonnie often said, “Don’t cry for me when I am gone. Celebrate the amazing life I have had.”

Vonnie leaves behind her children, Donald A. (Denise) VanPembrook, Roxanne (late Edward) Hedlund, Shelly (Dean) Neuens, Mark VanPembrook, Patrick (Tammy) VanPembrook, and Timothy (Melissa) VanPembrook, all in Aurora; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; her sisters, Karen Broullire, Holly Gagnon, Nancy Stuart, and Mary Schultz; her brothers, Dan and Bill Zoeller; and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Waiting to greet Vonnie at the heavenly banquet are her husband, Donald; sons Scott, Michael, James; daughter Rhonda VanPembrook; granddaughter Brandy Wright; son-in-law Edward Hedlund; two brothers, James Coopman-Zoeller and Calvin Coopman.

She will be deeply missed and will remain deeply loved and respected. Her love was great enough to fill us for the rest of our lives. May Vonnie, this good and faithful servant, rest forever in the peace and love of the God who gave her life.

The VanPembrook Family expresses their deep appreciation and gratitude to Dr. John Loewen and staff for providing their loving care.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aurora. Father Joseph Dorner and Father Michael Woempner will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Vonnie will be laid to rest at the Aurora-Homestead Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Vonnie has requested donations to be made to the Sacred Heart Church in Aurora “Building Improvement Fund”, �… St. Anthony Catholic Church at 1432 River St., Niagara, WI 54151.

Condolences to the family of Yvonne “Vonnie” VanPembrook may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.