Verle Kenneth Wesenberg

Verle Kenneth Wesenberg, was born on March 23, 1935, to Clarence and Lavina Wilson Wesenberg in Alma, Michigan. He peacefully passed away February 2, 2019, after quietly and persistently battling cancer for over a year. He was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at the age of 14. Dad married our mother, Shirley Helms on August 18, 1955, at Ithaca, Michigan. Mom and Dad shared a full and contented life, including both joy and disappointment for over 44 years. Mom passed away in February of 2000. After 11 lonely years he found companionship in marrying Betty Hibner on March 6, 2011. Betty, her children, and grandchildren added a new dimension to his life. Our Dad was no stranger to heartache. He said goodbye to mom, our sister Kay, his grandson Matt, and both of his parents all in a few short years. Dad was a doer. As children we never heard him say cant. If a job needed to be done Dad worked until he saw it completed. We will often remember him saying "Cant never did anything. He spent most of his wage-earning years employed at Wolverine Shoe factory, Detroiter Mobile Homes, and General Motors. He retired after thirty plus years of service. After his retirement he spent much of his time in his yard. Dad found contentment in caring for his lawn and his trees and filled many summer days this way. He also loved to pass the early days of spring driving through the countryside sweeping lawns for his friends and neighbors. Dad gained many friendships throughout his life. You could often find Dad at a work bee volunteering as cleanup crew or running for supplies. He loved working at the cemetery, the teacherage, and building our new church. After completion of these projects he could often be seen driving through the countryside on summer days observing construction projects, progress in the farming community, and the wind farms which were of special interest to him. Those who are left with many good memories are his wife, Betty; children: Douglas (Kathleen) of Ithaca Michigan, Barbara (Richard) Schleicher of Cambridge, Minnesota, and Kenneth (Dorinda) of Hawkeye Iowa; grandchildren: Sarah (Charles) Lehman, Patrick (McKenzie) Wesenberg, Cody (Abby) Wesenberg, Melissa (Titus) Unruh, Tasha (Braden) Toews and Vincent Wesenberg; great granddaughters: Savannah, Mia, Embersen, and Charlotte; sisters: Maxine Benner, Betty Ensz and Carol Sigafoose; brothers-in-law: James (Pamela) Helms, Gene Mauger; and one sister-in-law, Jean Helms. Those who proceeded him in death are his parents, Clarence and Lavina; parents-in-law, Howard and Emma Helms; 6 brothers-in-law; and 3 sisters-in-law. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at 10:30 A.M. at the Newark Mennonite Church. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. at the church. Burial will be held at the Hayes Road Cemetery, Ithaca. Those desiring, may make contributions in Verles memory to Maple View Assisted Living 4396 S. Luce Road, Ithaca, MI 48847 or the Country Side Christian School Library 4308 S. Luce Road, Ithaca, MI 48847.