Eunice Mae Verbrick

Eunice M. Verbrick, age 104, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2021 at her home in Appleton.  A lifelong resident of the city, she was born on September 9, 1916 to the late Frank and Bertha (Synder) Reck.  Eunice was united in marriage to George D. Verbrick on December 28, 1940. He preceded her in death on September 2, 1990.

Eunice loved being a stay-at-home mom and she was especially proud of always preparing home-cooked meals. No fast food or carry out for her family. She learned to cook when she was 14 years old; her teacher was her mother Bertha. Recipes were passed down, but only on rare occasion written down.  In 2012, when she was 96, Eunice and two of her daughters compiled a collection of family recipes, spending hours weaving together the anecdotes, ingredients and right proportions to produce “A Dish to Pass.” This family cookbook is a treasure of memories for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  What was a picnic or family reunion without mother’s potato salad?

After having raised her four girls, she and longtime friend Geraldine Peterman joined the Appleton Homemakers. They enjoyed swapping recipes and stories of managing a household during the Great Depression, through WWII and into the 1950s and 60s. Eunice and George were able to travel in retirement and they especially enjoyed trips to Puerto Rico, Georgia, and Colorado to visit their children and grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband George, Eunice was preceded in death by her brothers Floyd Reck and Florian (Ruth) Reck, her sister Bernice “Sis” (Bill) Draeger, and her son-in-law Thomas D. Van Buskirk.

She is survived by her daughters Darlene (Denny) Walsh, Lynn Van Buskirk, Lois (Harold/Ike) Wolfgram, and Carol Jansen; her loving grandchildren Kurt Van Buskirk, Brian Van Buskirk, Eric Van Buskirk, Anne Walsh, David Walsh, Julie Jansen, and David Jansen; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

As the years moved on, mom’s greatest wish was to always stay in her home. This was made possible by her daughter Carol and granddaughter Julie, the primary caregivers, who provided steadfast and compassionate care. Thank you to Eunice’s wonderful neighbors and friends Marge Balliette, Mary Stoeger, Vicky Eberhard, Gordy Stadler, Mark Stadler, Scott Poquette, Steve Main, and Jim Hanson — for being her friend, for helping her with home repairs, for visiting over a cup of coffee, and for looking out for her for so many years.  Thank you to Compassus/Ascension Hospice, especially Molly, Chaplain Cliff, and Kara.  The biggest thank-you and heartfelt appreciation to Melissa Kaufert. Melissa, we couldn’t have done it without you.  Carol and Julie find great comfort in knowing that Eunice got her wish.

The funeral service for Eunice will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 North Superior St., Appleton.  Visitation will be held at the Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service.  Masks will be required and social distancing enforced. She will be laid to rest at Highland Memorial Cemetery on Friday, January 22.

Services for Eunice will be livestreamed and can be watched by going to Eunice’s obituary page at www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com. For more information and to express condolences, please visit www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.