Surnames: Buddenhagen, Free, Lawrence, Kreitlow, Chaffin, Mohr, Zank, Armitage

Sources: Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI, February 13, 2008

Buddenhagen, Vera Arlene (28 January 1921 - 31 January 2008)

Vera A. Buddenhagen, 87, of Neillsville, died Thursday, January 31, 2008, at the Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center, Neillsville.

Vera Arlene Lawrence was born January 29, 1921, the daughter of Horace and Lucy (Free) Lawrence in the Township of York in Clark County. She attended the Oriole Grade School and graduated from Neillsville High School. She went to work for a short time in Marshfield and Madison. In April of 1940, she was united in marriage to Leland Buddenhagen. She became a full-time mom raising her three children. When the kids were all in school, she went to work for Flitter’s Grocery Store and several other area stores, including the Gambles Store where she worked as a clerk for many years and through three different families.

Vera loved to dance, loved her family, the outdoors and animals, especially her dog, Starr. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and also for her great sense of humor coming from a very fun loving family.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandy (Joe) Kreitlow of Neillsville and Lola Lee (Jim) Chaffin of Vesper; a son, Byrl (Sharon) Buddenhagen of Neillsville; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers and a sister.

A funeral service for Vera was held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 4, 2008, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor James Mohr officiated. Providing music were Eileen Zank organist and Corrine Armitage vocalist. Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, February 3, and again from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday prior to the service at the Gesche Funeral Home. Interment was in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers for Vera were her grandsons, Troy Buddenhagen, Greg Buddenhagen, Kevin Buddenhagen, Brad Buddenhagen, Dusty Kreitlow and Clay Kreitlow.

The Gesche Funeral Home of Neillsville assisted the family with arrangements.