Earl M. Verhoeven

Age 89, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at Colony Oaks Care Center from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be sadly missed. Earl was born in Freedom, WI on January 21, 1912 to the late Theodore and Anna Verhoeven. On August 3, 1939 he married the former Bernice Blair at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Freedom. They celebrated 61 years of marriage.
Earl farmed for 25 years before moving to Kimberly where he worked for Kimberly-Clark Corp. for 32 years, retiring in 1975. He was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and a member of the Kimberly-Clark Quarter Century Club.
He is survived by his loving wife, Bernice, one daughter, Pat (Hank) Wachtendonck, Kimberly, two special grandchildren, Mark (Trina) Wachtendonck, Tampa, Florida, Sara (Dan) Remington, Louisville, CO. Three great-grandchildren, Amanda Wachtendonck, Florida, and Alysa and Danny Remington, Colorado. Two step great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Laurie Griffith, Florida. He is further survived by two brothers-in-law, Leo (Florence) Blair, Kaukauna and Norbert Blair, Kaukauna. Four sisters-in-law Margaret Verhoeven, Little Chute, Germaine Diedrick, Kaukauna, Arlene Blair, Kaukauna, and Joan Blair, Appleton. Earl is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife’s parents, Edward and Mary Blair, a brother, Vincent Verhoeven, two sisters, Agnes Newhouse and Leona Liebergen. Four sisters-in-law, Phyllis Blair, Virginia Blair, Loretta Vandenberg and Ruth Diedrick. Seven brothers-in-law, Raymond Newhouse, Cyrus Liebergen, Edward Blair Jr., Cletus Blair, Jerome Blair, Alvin Vandenberg and Victor Diedrick.

Earl loved being outdoors working in his yard and helping out his neighbors. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very special and brought much happiness to his life. He also had a very special neighbor and friend, Meryl Vandenberg.

Services for Earl will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2001 at HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH 600 East Kimberly Avenue with Fr. Dennis Bergsbaken officiating. Friends will be received directly at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Holy Name Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family wishes to thank the Colony Oaks Care Center for their loving care and concern during Earl’s stay. Also, thank you to all the family, neighbors and friends who supported us through this journey.

The Simple Man
He never won a prize and he never rose to fame,
He never heard men cheering at the mention of his name.
Others never heard him boasting of the things that he could do,
but he always did his duty in the best way that he knew.
He never ran for office, he never tried to be a bigger
man than others, or have more authority.
He never broke a promise and he never failed a friend,
and he did the work he found to do contented to the end.