Clarence Verhage

Clarence "Pete" Anthony Verhage, 84, of Sheboygan Falls, entered eternal life with Jesus Wednesday, September 5, 2012. Pete was born on February 25, 1928, in Sheboygan Falls, son of Jacob and Clara (Justinger) Verhage. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1945 and began work at Bemis Manufacturing while helping on the family farm. While at Bemis he helped organize the Bemis Credit Union, serving as vice president, assistant treasurer, and auditor. He attended Sheboygan vocational school for three years and became a tax practitioner. He prepared taxes for 65 years, 14 of those at H & R Block. Pete married Shirley Elko on October 8, 1960. They shared a love of dancing, gardening, traveling, and most of all spending time with their children, grandchildren, family, and friends. His daily four mile walks were a ritual in good weather or bad. A lifelong member of Blessed Trinity Parish, Pete served as Eucharistic minister and volunteer caring for St. Mary Catholic Cemetery for 19 years. He volunteered for the Red Cross blood drives for 30 years and the Sheboygan Falls food pantry for 20 years. He loved playing games and cards, especially Skat and Sheepshead, managing the Johnsonville and Wisconsin-North American-Minnesota Skat leagues in this locality. Pete is survived by his wife, Shirley; two daughters, Kathleen (friend Everett Ogilvie) Verhage of Albuquerque, NM and Phyllis (Terry) Worth of Kewaunee; one son, Ken (Carolyn) Verhage of East Amherst, NY; four grandchildren, Stephanie and Eric Verhage and Carrie and Benji Worth; five sisters-in-law, Leora Verhage of Stevens Point, MaryAnn Verhage of Sheboygan, Dorothy Verhage of Sheboygan Falls, Peggy (Denis) Graham of Greenwood, IN, and Kathi Bean of Joliet, IL. Pete is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Pete was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Willard, Lawrence, and Richard Verhage; two sisters, Marion (John) Schirmer and Mildred (Claude) Halbach; and two brothers-in-law, Jim Elko and Larry Bean. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Pete's life will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Blessed Trinity Parish in Sheboygan Falls. Inurnment will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Sheboygan Falls at a later date. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 10:00 am until the time of Mass at 12:00 pm on Saturday. A memorial fund has been established in Pete's name for Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, the Red Cross, and the Sheboygan Falls food pantry. For online condolences and additional information please visit www.wenigfuneralhome.com Pete's family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Pawlak, Dr. Horth, the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and nurses, for their compassion and kindness. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the Verhage family with arrangements.Reception:Blessed Trinity Parish327 Giddings AvenueSheboygan Falls, WI 53085

Visitation

Saturday, September 15, 2012 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish
327 Giddings Avenue Sheboygan Falls 53085, United States

Service

Saturday, September 15, 2012 12:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish
327 Giddings Avenue Sheboygan Falls 53085, United States