Obit: Verschay, Josephine #3 (1918 - 2010)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Verschay, Laken, Tolney, Cardinal

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, Wis. (13 Oct. 2010)

Verschay, Josephine, (27 OCT 1918- 10 OCT. 2010)

Josephine M. Verschay, 91, Greenwood, passed away at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Cindy Verschay, in Marinette on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. Visitation will be held at Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood on Friday, Oct. 15, from 5-8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will also be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard, on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11 a.m. Rev. Joseph Follmar will officiate and burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Dergance, Josh Cardinal, Joe; Verschay, Chad Schmitz, Jeff Clochesy and Dean Futton.

Josephine Mary Laken was born on Oct. 27, 1918, in Neillsville, the daughter of Frank and Mary (nee Tolaney) Laken. She grew up on the farm near Willard and received her elementary education in the Willard area. She attended Eau Claire High School, where she graduated in 1939. She received her one-year teaching certificate in Neillsville when she was nineteen. Her first years, of a 37 year elementary teaching career, were spent in 1-room country schools teaching students in first through eighth grade. At that time, she was responsible for teaching as well as starting the wood stove and cleaning the floors. Later on, she received her bachelor and master’s degrees in elementary education from Eau Claire State College. She also taught at St. Mary’s School, and retired from Greenwood Public Schools in 1989. She married Joseph Verschay, on Aug. 3, 1946, at  Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. She then worked with her husband, starting and running the Blue Mirror Bar and Bowling Alley in Greenwood and later raising beef cattle. Joe preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 1978. She was a member of the Clark County Choraliers, Longwood Homemakers, Slovenian Women’s Union, Slovenian Druzba Group, Tri-County Retired Educators, St. Ann’s Society and St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Greenwood. Before major health issues interfered, she was an avid gardener and letter writer, She enjoyed crossword puzzles, Jeopardy and cooking. The most important things in her life were her family, friends, and her faith. She leaves a legagy of love, kindness, and strength.

She was the much loved mother of Richard (Karen) Verschay, Owen, Mary Jo (Mike) Cardinal, Mound View, Minn., Bill (Cindy) Verschay, Marinette, and Jeanie (Bill Bright) Verschay, Monona; grandmother of Heidi (Chad) Schmitz, Holly (Brett Schumer) Verschay, Kasey (Bobby) Streeter, Robyn (Todd) Bauer, Jessica (Jeff) Clochesy, Kayla (Dean) Furton, Joel Verschay, and Bethany and Josh Cardinal; and great-grandmother of Sawyer, Carson, and Evyn Schmitz, Liam and Norah Clochesy, and Bianca Furton. She is further survived by her sister, Helen Dergance, Hillside, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Olive Verschay, Neillsville; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; a brother, George Laken; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Rev. Otto Berg; a brother-in-law, Matt Dergance, and a nephew, Larry Berg.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.