Obit: Verschay, Josephine M. (1918 - 2010)

Contact: Stan

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Verschay, Laken, Tolaney, Cardinal, Bright, Schmitz, Schumer, Streeter, Bauer, Clochesy, Furton

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 10/13/2010

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

GREENWOOD -- Josephine M. Verschay, 91, of Greenwood, passed away at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Cindy Verschay, in Marinette, on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard. The Rev. Joseph Follmar will officiate and burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Dergance, Josh Cardinal, Joel Verschay, Chad Schmitz, Jeff Clochesy and Dean Furton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, at Cuddie Funeral Home in Greenwood, with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation also will be held at the church Saturday, from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Josephine Mary Laken was born on Oct. 27, 1918, in Neillsville, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Tolaney) Laken. She grew up on a 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 age 19. Her first years of a 37-year elementary teaching career were spent in one-room country schools teaching students in first through eighth grades. 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 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.

Jo married Joseph Verschay on Aug. 3, 1946, at Holy Family Catholic Church in 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 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 was the much loved mother of Richard (Karen) Verschay of Owen, Mary Jo (Mike) Cardinal of Mounds View, Minn., Bill (Cindy) Verschay of Marinette and Jeanie (Bill Bright) Verschay of Monona; grandmother of Heidi (Chad) Schmitz, Holly (Brett Schumer) Verschay, Kasey (Bobby) Streeter, Robyn (Todd) Bauer, Jessica (Jeff) Clochesy, Kayla (Dean) Furton, Joel Verschay, Bethany and Josh Cardinal; great-grandmother of Sawyer, Carson and Evyn Schmitz, Liam and Norah Clochesy, and Bianca Furton.

She is additionally survived by her sister, Helen Dergance of Hillside, Ill.; sister-in-law, Olive Verschay of Neillsville; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

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

She leaves a legacy of love, kindness and strength.

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

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

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