BioA: Verhulst, Mr./Mrs. Clarence (Golden - 1976)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Verhulst, Johnson, Luther, Haupt, Gotter, Householder, Wenger

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/05/1976

Verhulst, Mr./Mrs. Clarence (Golden – 9 December 1976)

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Verhulst of Greenwood celebrated their 50th wedding at an open house Saturday, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greenwood, from 2 to 5 p.m., and a reception held at 8 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Verhulst. Their children were hosts.

The anniversary cake was made by a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lyle Verhulst. Cutting the cake were the sisters of Mrs. Verhulst, Mrs. Joyce Luther of Eau Claire and Mrs. Grace Haupt of Elkhorn. The grandchildren were at the guest book and served the punch.

Preceding the reception at the church, a short service of thanksgiving was held in the church and conducted by the Rev. David Wenger, pastor. A grandson Thomas Verhulst accompanied in the singing of the hymns, and a son, Harold Verhulst, spoke briefly on behalf of the family.

An old-fashioned charivari was given by relatives and friends at the open house in the evening. The grandchildren performed a mock wedding for the couple. A dance with music provided by Donna Abel was the entertainment for the evening.

Mrs. Verhulst wore a corsage of yellow roses and her husband wore a carnation and rose boutonniere. All members of the immediate family wore corsages and boutonnieres as well as well as the attendants, Mrs. Celan (Harriet) Gotter of Loyal, a sister of Mr. Verhulst and Leonard Johnson of Greenwood, an uncle of Mrs. Verhulst. A floral arrangement of yellow carnations and daisies given by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren was used as the centerpiece at the head table.

Clarence Verhulst and Esther Johnson were married December 9, 1926, by the Rev. D.S. Householder, pastor of the Grace Methodist Church, at the house of the bride’s parents. After their marriage they farmed in the Town of Warner from 1928 to 1955. He worked at the Midland Cooperative from 1955-1965. Since 1965 he had part time work with the Telephone Company and cemetery custodian. He retired in 1965.

Clarence Verhulst, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Verhulst, was born October 7, 1901, in Sheboygan. He received his education in the Longwood Public schools.

Mrs. Verhulst, the former Esther Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Johnson, was born June 19, 1903, in the Town of Eaton. She received her education in the Town of Beaver schools. Mr. and Mrs. Verhulst are both in good health. His hobbies are fishing and gardening. His wife enjoys sewing, quilting and crochet work.

He was supervisor of the Town of Warner for two years; member of the board of Christopherson School for 12 years; on the church council and head usher at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. They are members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and participate in the parish organizations.

They are the parents of four children. They have 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The children are Lyle Verhulst of Loyal; Kenneth Verhulst of Marshfield; the Rev. Harold Verhulst of Milbank, S.D.; and Miss Corrine Verhulst of Los Angeles, Ca., who, with their families, were all present for the occasion.

People attending the anniversary from a distance were from New Berlin, Elk Mound, Palmyra, Pittsville, Coloma, Cadott, Owen, Elkhorn, Eau Claire, Watertown, Stevens Point, Sheboygan, Marshfield, Superior, and Withee, Wisconsin; Mesa, Arizona; Sodus, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Lansing, Michigan; Eau Claire, Michigan; Milbank, South Dakota; Wayne, Michigan; Los Angeles, California and surrounding communities.