Obituary of Verna M. Wiersig
Verna M. Wiersig, 80, of Schofield, formerly of Spencer, Tomahawk, and Colby/Abbotsford died Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at Cedar Ridge Elder Services in Schofield, WI. A private graveside burial service will be held this week.
Verna was born June 1937 in Ferryville, WI. Verna spent her youth in Ferryville and early 20’s in Sparta. She married Norman Wiersig on August 29, 1964 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hewitt, WI.
After getting married they purchased a dairy farm in Granton. The couple moved to Spencer within a few years after that to raise their two daughters. In 1991 they sold their property and moved to Tomahawk to babysit and be near their two grandchildren. “Granny” loved them with all of her heart, playing dress up with them, baking them her delicious berry pies that everyone loved, and spoiling them with constant stuffed animals, dolls, and other gifts. Once the granddaughters were in school, Verna and Norman moved back to the Colby/Abbotsford area. There Verna worked bussing tables and doing dishes at Mr. B’s Restaurant until it closed, and then worked at the Abby Café until she retired at age 71 in 2008. Verna and Norm resided at Colby Retirement Community in their elder years – Verna thrived there, participating in many activities. Sadly, Norman passed away at age 90 in 2012. In September of 2016 Verna sustained a serious fall injury, and after recovery agreed to move to Schofield within a few miles of her daughter and grandchildren’s families.
Verna had many hobbies. At the assisted living, she loved and excelled at bingo, winning often. One of her lifelong hobbies was embroidering pretty, flowery towels and pillowcases and giving them away as gifts – she always put others before herself and was a true “giver”. In Spencer and Abbotsford, she kept huge vegetable gardens, and enjoyed tending her colorful flower beds interspersed with many American flags. Impatiens, bleeding hearts, and geraniums were everywhere; she and Norman loved to buy them in Curtiss, WI at the farmer’s auction.
Verna had a mild mannered, friendly spirit with a happy disposition. Her co-workers and caregivers loved interacting with her, as she brought happiness to others with her huge, warm smile. She was genuinely interested in their friendship and loved to hear about their lives. One of her favorite things in the world was to take photographs of (and with) family and friends. She leaves behind many photos labeled “Me and my friend” and she never left behind photos of her family – they were always right with her, stacked on the sides of her wheelchair.
She wrote thousands of letters to her family and friends over the course of her lifetime – she loved sharing current news and happenings. Every time she saw her granddaughter’s husbands, Cory and Dan in person or in photos, Verna always referred to as “so handsome”. Cory called her “Grandma Flair”, as she was so well known for wearing her sparkling “bling” clothing and an abundance of cute pins and rhinestone earrings and necklaces. If she were able, she would go shopping every single day. St. Vinnie’s and Walmart were her favorites.
Verna deeply cherished her family and friends and will be greatly missed. These memories will make us smile.
Immediate survivors include two daughters: Judy (Mark) Bye of Schofield, Beverly Wiersig (fiancé Tim Saunders) of Mondovi. Two granddaughters: Amanda (Daniel) Kriese of Tomahawk, parents of Verna’s great-grandchildren Asher and Amaia; and Melissa (Cory) Davis of Denton, TX (unborn great-granddaughter Charleigh is due in May). She is further survived by her three sisters: Leotta, Leodda, and Berneda, and a brother, LaVal, and several nieces and nephews.
Verna is preceded in death by her parents, Morrill and Flossie, her husband Norman, a brother LaVan, sister Weltha, and dog Lucky.
Her arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home–Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.
