Obit: Vollrath, Verne Edward (1926 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Vollrath, Yaniga, Horn, Mettetal

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 11 Nov 2015

Vollrath, Verne Edward (14 OCT 1926 – 31 OCT 2015)

Verne Edward Vollrath, 89, Janesville, formerly of Greenwood, died on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Janesville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the First Congregational Church in Janesville. Rev. Tanya Sadagopan will officiate. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. Graveside service and interment will be held at 1 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 15, in Greenwood.

Born on Oct. 14, 1926, in Greenwood, Verne was the son of Henry and Paula (nee Yaniga) Vollrath. Growing up in a German-speaking household, he learned English in the first grade and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1944. He moved to Janesville in 1946 to work at Fisher Body, where he began a 40-year career in the material department. Verne served in the U.S. Army from 1950-52. He married Laverne I. Horn in Greenwood, on April 27, 1951. In retirement, Verne and Laverne greatly enjoyed travel, touring all 50 states and six continents. Annual family reunions throughout the U.S. and Canada were always special occasions. Verne and Laverne shared a passion for visiting flea markets and antique shops in pursuit of new treasures for their many collections. Verne especially enjoyed working at area auctions. He served in leadership positions with the First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), United Way, and the Rock County Historical Society, and volunteered with such groups as ECHO and the Wilson School breakfast club.

Verne is survived by his three sons, David (Gwendolyn Mettetal) Vollrath, Mishawaka, Ind., Dennis (Judy) Vollrath, Seattle, Wash., and Douglas (Kathan) Vollrath, Menlo Park, Calif.; five grandchildren, Alison, Andrea, Tessa, Matthew and Joanna; a brother, Dale (Dotty) Vollrath, Green Bay; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Laverne; and a brother, Larry (Andrea) Vollrath.

The family would like to thank the Cedar Crest staff for their care and compassion, and also Shelby, Millie, Jerry, and Verne’s other loving friends for their support and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Memorial Fund of the First Congregational Church UCC or to the Cedar Crest Christmas Fund.

The family is being assisted by Henke-Clarson Funeral Home, Janesville, and Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood.