OCONOMOWOC — The downtown Oconomowoc business community is showing that supporting each other is more important than competing for customers after the sudden death of the husband of one of the Roots Coffeebar and Café owners.
Violet Table, 127 E. Wisconsin Ave., has decorated its windows with a sun, a rain cloud and the words “Today, we remember it’s a Kaleb Day.”
“If you’ve ever come to our little corner of the world, you definitely know there are so many amazing places to grab a bite or get a coffee. We all clamor to get your attention by posting our soups or our specials … the newest drink out there, etc. Today, I would like to draw attention to our neighbors right across the street. Hilary is one of the co-owners with her sister of The Roots Coffeebar & Cafe. She unexpectedly lost her husband Kaleb and father of her two young boys. We ask you to say a prayer for a little extra attention from God and maybe you could stop in to support their business if you don’t already. We love our business neighbors on all sides of us. It’s what makes our community shine. Here’s to remembering Kaleb,” reads a post on Violet Table’s Facebook page April 30.
Kaleb was the husband of Roots co-owner Hilary De Vries. She took to Facebook on April 28 to write about her husband, saying “When he saw a beautiful day (sunrise/sunset or sun shining through the clouds), he used to take a pic and send it to me saying ‘It’s a Hilary day.’ Let’s keep his memory alive. When you see a beautiful day, send a pic to friends or family telling them what a beautiful Kaleb day it is,” she wrote.
De Vries died April 24 at the age of 42 “from an unexpected and undiagnosed cardiac episode,” according to his obituary. He was born Feb. 12, 1984, in Beaver Dam and took “great joy in sharing a birthday with Abraham Lincoln and carried a deep love for his country throughout his life,” according to the obituary. He was a lifelong lover of the outdoors and grew up playing sports with hockey being his favorite.
“Kaleb was known for his warm spirit and ability to make friends wherever he went. He loved gathering family and friends together, especially when hosting fish fries and cooking for those he loved. He loved making salsa using the ingredients from his garden and sharing with everyone,” the obituary says. He also was a devoted husband to Hilary and a loving father to Jude, age 10, and Cash, age 7.
Violet Table owner Renee Drews said they attended Crosspoint Community Church with the De Vries family and said that she wanted to show the family support during this difficult time. Drews called Hilary De Vries and her sister, Heidi Laatsch, “amazing businesswomen” who have done a lot to support Oconomowoc personally and through Roots Coffeebar and Café, 124 E. Wisconsin Ave.
“The community is coming together around this, which is amazing. It is such a huge loss. They are a staple in our community, they are so giving as well,” Drews said.
Sara Ninmann, owner of Snips & Giggles in downtown Oconomowoc and director of community events for the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce, said Kaleb was often helping around the city.
“Kaleb was an active and devoted husband, father, and community supporter. He was always willing to step in and help wherever needed — often behind the scenes, making sure things came together. His footprint downtown is seen in the success of so many community events. From Chilifest to helping launch the beer gardens, to facilitating hockey tournaments, and ultimately focusing on his boys through coaching and quality time outdoors, Kaleb gave so much of himself to others,” Ninmann said. “More than anything, both Kaleb and Hilary have always carried themselves with warmth and genuine care for others. Their smiles and willingness to connect made a lasting impact on so many. It is no surprise, then, that this community is now rallying to surround Hillary and her family with love, kindness, support, and prayer.”
In a Facebook post, Hilary De Vries described her husband as “my rock, my laughter, my nurturer, my strength, my love, my best friend, my person. My up when I am down. My fixer. My baseball buddy. My handsome lover of everything outdoors, gardening, fishing and hunting. My favorite hockey player. My maker of a playlist for any time of the day. My receiver all of my dorky jokes and pranks. My EVERYTHING. We constantly told each other how we make such a good team, I need you!!! The boys need you!!!
“Gosh, hun, you are the best dad to our boys. You took off work to chaperone their field trips. You taught them to live off the land, by all your many hours of fishing and hunting with them. You taught them how to save me from snakes and frogs. You taught them everything they know about baseball, skating and soccer with your endless time practicing and having fun outside together. You taught them what great music sounds like, and how it can change your mood into good. You showed them how to fix things around the house. You showed and taught them your art and math techniques. You taught them how to take pride but with a humble heart. And best of all, you showed them what a hardworking, loving, Christian man looks like by being YOU.”
A funeral service for De Vries was held Sunday at Crosspoint Community Church.
