Anne K. Paulus

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September 9, 1943 - December 2, 2023
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  • Anne Paulus
    Anne Paulus
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Anne K. Paulus, 80 of Neenah, passed away unexpectedly at home early Saturday morning, December 2nd, 2023.
She was born September 9th, 1943, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the third of seven children born to Merlin and Vera (nee Kohn) VanDyke. She was married November 26th, 1960, to David Paulus Sr. in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Dave and Anne raised three children, David Jr. (Kathy), Cheryl (Larry Dailey), and Jeffry (Teresa).
Anne's career began as a secretary in real estate after several years as a stay-at-home mother. She worked her way up to becoming a real estate agent, broker, and owner of Realco, Inc. in the Fox Cities. As a realtor she received numerous accolades and awards, including Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce's Athena Award, Wisconsin REALTORS Association's Distinguished Service Award and Quality Counts Award, REALTORS Association of Northeast Wisconsin's Excellence in Professionalism and Realtor of the Year, First Weber Group Realtors President's Circle Award, and served as a National Association of REALTORS Political Action Committee Life Member in the Nation's Capitol. She was a pioneer for women in business, but her true passion was serving and connecting with her community. Her position as the first female President of the Winnebago County Realtor Association and the first female Member and later President of the Neenah-Menasha Optimist Club set in motion a prolific life of community service: Chairman of Board of Review and Chairman of Neenah Housing Authority Committee for the City of Neenah, Commission Member for the City of Neenah Police and Fire Commission, Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of State and Federal Issues Committee for Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for Reach Counseling Service, and Committee Member for the fundraising of Shattuck Park Boardwalk.
She was a faithful member of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Neenah, teaching religion classes in her early years and more recently serving on the Haiti committee.
The family that Anne created was her most honored and cherished legacy. She will be dearly missed by her surviving family members: her siblings, Peter VanDyke, Susan VanDyke, Paul (Mary Clare) VanDyke, and Bill (Donna) VanDyke; her sister-in law, Jane (John) VanDyke; her grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley) Paulus, Derek (Lauren) Paulus, Ryan (Emmery) Paulus, Shane (Sarah) Dailey, Lesley (Vance) Hall, John Dailey, Amy Dailey, Hannah (Michael) Walsh, Sara Paulus (Christopher Voelz), and Alyssa Paulus (Steven Carl); and her eleven great-grandchildren.
She is greeted in heaven by her loved ones who preceded her in death: her loving parents, Merlin and Vera (nee Kohn) VanDyke; her siblings, Robert "Bob" VanDyke and wife, Linda, and John VanDyke; and her grandson, Brian Paulus.
The entire family will miss her many talents of sewing, baking, and hosting gatherings for everyone she loved. She made every holiday feel like magic. She created many traditions including Christmas cookie making, decorating for the holidays, and sending cards for any and all occasions. We will miss our trips with her to beloved Washington D.C. and Florida, shopping trips to Chicago and Milwaukee, summer days at the Neenah pool, and her hugs that felt like home no matter where you were. While Anne herself cannot be fully described by any number of words, her most encompassing characteristic was Agape - Selfless Love. Agape is the highest level of love to offer. It is given without any expectations of receiving anything in return. Offering Agape is a decision to spread love in any circumstances.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Anne will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division St., Neenah, Fr. Nonito Barra officiating. A visitation will be held at church from 8:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Anne will be laid to rest at Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Joe's Food Pantry or to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Anne's name. Westgor Funeral Home 205 W. Doty Ave., Neenah 920-722-7151 Condolences: www.westgorfuneralhomes.com.