Howard A. VanAsten

Howard Anthony “Van” VanAsten, 84, Stevens Point, a retired Stevens Point businessman, died Wednesday, July 13, 2016.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday July 21, at St. Peter Catholic Church, with the Rev. Dennis Stanchik officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Guardian Angel Cemetery.
Visitation will be in the St. Faustina room of the church from 9 a.m. Thursday until the Mass.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lorraine VanAsten.
Pisarski Funeral Homes of Stevens Point & Plover assisted
with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
Mr. VanAsten was born Jan. 8, 1932, in Rudolph, a son of the
late Simon and Marie (Bushmaker) VanAsten. As a child he helped with the chores
on his family-run dairy farm, “VanAsten Dairy.” He graduated as salutatorian in
the Rudolph High School Class of 1949 in three years.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict
as first lieutenant in electronics.
He was married to Lorraine Marie Pleet May 21, 1952.
He started a paint store on Main Street in 1957 which
expanded into Van’s Floor Covering and later he added the Alley Kat Hobby Shop.
In 1972, he moved Van’s Floor Covering to 817 Clark St. The city of Stevens
Point’s Rivermen Mural is on the west wall of that building and includes
depictions of Mr. VanAsten and his son, Bruce.
He retired from Van’s after 47 years.
He served as vice president for one year and later president
for two years of St. Peter School P.T.A., was the chairman of St. Peter’s Fall
Festival for 15 years and was the president of St. Peter’s ushers for 43 years.
He was also a member of the Elks Club and American Legion Post 6 in Stevens
Point.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lorraine; two children,
Barbara Alberts, Sidney Neb., and Bruce (Elizabeth), Stevens Point; one brother,
David (Agnes) VanAsten, Wisconsin Rapids; one sister, Janet Suzda, Wisconsin
Rapids; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.