Obit: Verschay, Josephine Mary #2 (1918 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

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

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) October 13, 2010

Verschay, Josephine Mary (27 October 1918 - 10 October 2010)

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

Josephine Mary Laken was born 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 and where she graduated in 1939.  She received her one-year elementary teaching certificate in Neillsville when she was 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 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 in 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, MN, Bill (Cindy) Verschay of Marinette, 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, IL; 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 Reverend Otto Berg; brother-in-law, Matt Dergance; and nephew, Larry Berg.

She leaves a legacy of love, kindness and strength.   

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, at Holy Family Catholic Church, in Willard.  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 held at Cuddie Funeral Home, in Greenwood, Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service.  Visitation will also be held at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorials may be directed 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.