William Verhagen

Age 73, went peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus at home with his family at his side on Wednesday, June 21, 2006. Bill was born on March 23, 1933 in Little Chute son of the late John "Jack" and Marie (Manning) Verhagen. He married Eileen Kumrow on December 30, 1953. They shared 52 years together. Bill served his country in the US Army in 1953-1954. He was a member of American Legion Post #55 in Hortonville. Bill was a baker by trade. He worked for Elm Tree and Tastee Bakery in Appleton for many years. Bill and Eileen opened the family bakery, "Verhagen's Bakery" in Hortonville in 1970 which they owned and operated for 10 years. They moved to Manawa in 1989. Bill knew how to keep busy. He loved baking, woodworking, fishing and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife Eileen, his children; a special daughter "his angel" Cheryl at home; Jim (Jill) Verhagen, New London; Lynn (Al) Eberly, Royalton; Steve (Cathy) Verhagen, Appleton; Sandy (Bryant) Tapio, New London; John (Emberly) Verhagen, Appleton and Bill Verhagen Jr. and special friend Jessica, Fremont. His grandchildren: Selina, Heather and Emily Verhagen, Paul Christian, Nicole and Dan Verhagen, Jason (Tia) Tapio and Jennifer Tapio (Fiancée Jesse Dack) and Madison Verhagen. Great grandchildren: Calvin Spear, Maria Ulrich and Arielle Verhagen. Bill is further survived by a sister Bonnie (Art) Van Asten, Little Chute; two brothers: Gerald (Rose) Verhagen, Darboy and Tom (Claire) Verhagen, Mackville; special niece Helen Kumrow and her special friend Nubs Holewinski; and a brother in-law Oliver "Butch" Schimmers. Besides his parents Bill is preceded in death by a grandson Bill Christian and his in-laws Ella and Arthur Kumrow, also numerous aunts, uncles, brothers in-law and sisters in-law. Funeral services for Bill will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Cline Hanson Dahlke Funeral Home in Manawa with Fr. Paul Vanden Hogen officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park in Appleton. Friends may call directly at the funeral home on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Military funeral rites will immediately follow service.