Barbara Jean Van Lanen (Sorensen), age 91, was born on June 8, 1934 in Green Bay, WI and received by Christ at 1:16 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers, WI, surrounded by family.

Barbara met James Van Lanen on a blind date on Feb 3, 1950, in the public service waiting area (heated bus stop) of the Bellin Office Building on Walnut Street in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin. The date was set up by Jim’s friend Warren Thomas and Barb’s sister Donna Vandenbush (Sorensen). Barbara would often mention that James was late for that date. Jim would not argue that point, but reflect how excited he was to meet her. The sweetheart dance a few days later sealed their romance. Jim soon went into military service as Barbara finished high school. When he returned in 1951, they planned a wedding for June 21, 1952, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay, on the longest day of the year.

Barbara loved gardening, sewing, playing piano, reading, studying history, and caring for her family.

At the age of 8, she travelled by train to the Manitowoc Conservatory of Music to play a piano piece on their stage. Little did she know that stage and the Two Rivers/Manitowoc area would play into her later life, watching several grandchildren play on that same stage and becoming a well-respected businesswoman in Two Rivers, living there from 1980 to 2026.

Among her many talents, she sewed her own beautiful wedding dress, in addition to sewing for many other family and friends.

In 1969, she and Jim received their commercial real estate licenses together via night school, forming a real estate partnership, Van Lanen Realty, which thrived with Jim at the wheel and Barbara manning the rudder. She created the blueprints by hand for her dream house at the end of Webster Avenue in De Pere, which they contracted and built in 1972. Their drive and enthusiasm made for a very successful team, building many commercial office buildings, apartments, and, in 1973, the Carlton Inn Hotel & Restaurant (now the Lighthouse Inn). Their real estate ventures have continued to this day - still operating the Inn with the help of their children.

Barbara’s family values, hard work ethic, professionalism, and grace help illuminate her remembrance, lighting the path ahead of us with LOVE.

Barbara is survived by her husband, James E. Van Lanen Sr.; four children: Laura (Jeff) Werner, Elizabeth Bell, Lisa (Mark Wanek) Van Lanen-Wanek, and James E. Van Lanen Jr.; 12 grandchildren: Brian (Jessica) Werner, Jeremiah (Caitlin) Capra, Joshua (Michelle) Werner, Sheila Werner, David Werner (Tori Sanchez), Michael Werner, Molly (Alex) Davell, Amy (Adam) Prado, Dr. Devan (Gina) Wanek, Christopher (Tiffany) Van Lanen – Wanek, Ayla (Paige) Pierce, and Andrew (Stephanie) Van Lanen; 12 great-grandchildren: Mox Werner, Noah, Roman, Vaeda and Jade Capra, Charlotte and Thomas Werner, Norah Werner, Jonah Werner, Amara Prado, and Mila and James Wanek; two sisters: Donna Vandenbush (Sorensen) and Eileen Barnes (Sorensen); four brother/sisters-in-law: Joan Jadin, Jane Van Lanen, Delores Van Lanen, and John (Lynne) Van Lanen; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Lucille (Parins) Sorensen and James’ parents, Edward and Cecilia (Le Mieux) Van Lanen; eight brothers/sisters-in-law: John Vandenbush, Dr. Donald Barnes, Janice and Robert Baumgart, Norbert Jadin, Thomas Van Lanen, Patrick Van Lanen, Robert Van Lanen; and a nephew and two nieces: Joseph Baumgart, Karen Zellner (Van Lanen), and Michele ‘Shelly’ Reichardt (Van Lanen).

Visitation and remembrance will be held in Two Rivers at Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels, 1506 18th Street, on Thursday April 16, 2026, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. A prayer service led by Fr. Dave Pleier will conclude the evening at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Parish, Friday morning, April 17, 2026 from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd. in Two Rivers. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Dave Pleier, with a Christian Burial service to be held in Bay Settlement (Green Bay, WI) at Holy Cross Cemetery on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The funeral service will be live streamed on the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church website or St. Peter the Fisherman Facebook page.

Memorial donations will be accepted benefiting the UW-Green Bay Foundation Le Mieux Chapel Fund; the Two Rivers Historical Society Farm Museum; or St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Parish, Two Rivers.

Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Van Lanen family with funeral arrangements.

The family extends special thanks to the nursing staff at Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers and the caregivers of Aurora Hospice for the wonderful care provided.