Anne Marie Van de Meulebroecke

Obituary – Anne Marie (Kleven) Van de Meulebroecke Anne Marie (Kleven) Van de Meulebroecke, age 85, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025, in Gainesville, VA, surrounded by family and caregivers. She was born on August 19, 1939, in Hamar, Norway to Johan Andreas and Hjørdis Helene Kleven. In 1961, Anne left her beloved Norway for adventure and work at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington DC. She quickly met a charming American who shared her love of dancing and downhill skiing. Anne and Roger soon married, and she began a new chapter in her life as a loving wife and mother of four. Her interests and curiosity were limitless. At some point before her kids were out of school, she decided to go back to school herself, earning an Associate Degree in Accounting to work as a bookkeeper and tax preparer. She translated her high school handball skills into learning how to play tennis and was always involved in helping to organize whatever league she played in. She sewed, did intricate needlework, and was a prolific knitter. All “in-laws” were gifted an Anne-made Norwegian sweater upon joining the family. Later in life, she took up quilting and left behind an amazing collection of work. Throughout her life, Anne kept strong ties to her Norwegian roots. She made close life-long friends in a Norwegian sewing group that met frequently to sew, share food and chat in their native language. They attended their children’s weddings and traveled together. Anne’s family was first and foremost a Norwegian family: cooking food, celebrating Norway’s Constitution Day - May 17th, and Norwegian Christmas eve. Part of the initial marriage agreement included a plan to retire in Norway, but once the family grew, that option became less attractive to spending time with the grandkids. During their retirement years, Anne and Roger enjoyed traveling, visiting grandchildren, country-western dancing, hiking, and skiing together. Anne stayed plugged into their community at Heritage Hunt by helping to organize hikes, bunco nights and the tennis league. She cherished her frequent trips back to Norway to see her sisters and extended family. Anne is predeceased by her twin sister Inger Helene Kleven. She is survived by her older sister Kari Margrethe Kleven and many nieces, nephews and cousins in Norway. Anne is survived by her loving husband Roger Van de Meulebroecke, son Peter Van de Meulebroecke, daughter and husband Helene and Bill Lane, son and wife Johan and Marcy Van de Meulebroecke, son and wife Erik and Patricia Happ Van de Meulebroecke, and 11 wonderful grandchildren. Please join us in celebrating her life on Saturday April 12, 2025, from 1 – 4 pm at Heritage Hunt Country Club in Gainesville, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association | Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Help

Anne Marie Van de Meulebroecke

August 19, 1939 - February 7, 2025