Service Details
PUBLIC visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. PRIVATE family services will follow at 11:30 am with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in West Lawn Memorial Park.
Memorial Suggestions
Memorials to St. Lucy Church or to “Best Friends Animal Sanctuary” of Utah have been suggested.
Racine – James Francis Verhegge, age 84, passed away at Seasons Hospice – Ignite on Monday, January 25, 2021.
Jim was born in Racine on December 10, 1936 to the late Frank and Ann (nee: Carmen) Verhegge. He faithfully served our country with the United States Navy from 1954-57, during the era of the Korean War. Jim was united in marriage with the love of his life, Elaine J. (nee: Carls), on September 13, 1958 in Holy Name Catholic Church.
Jim began his working career with Merchants Moving & Storage until becoming a service rep. for Thomas Supply, from where he retired after many years of dedication. Jim & Elaine were longtime, loyal & active members of the St. Lucy Catholic Church community where they actively attended daily mass. They enjoyed turning & revolving together with the Circle 8 Square Dance Club for over 20 years. They loved animal and rescued countless numbers of strays over the years and welcomed them into their home with open arms. Above all, Jim & Elaine loved spending time with their entire family, especially their grandchildren.
Surviving are his loving wife of over 62 years, Elaine; their children, Joyce (Tim) Hempel, Dave (Donna) Verhegge, Pam (Shawn) Fellion and Dawn (Steve) Tuma; grandchildren, Christine (Andy) Spaulding & Sarah (Travis) Nielsen; Kevin, Craig (Danielle) & Jordan Fellion; Lauren & Matthew Tuma; 6 (soon to be 7) great-grandchildren; brother, Richard Verhegge; sister-in-law, Eileen Carls; nieces, nephews, church family & friends – too numerous to mention all by name. In addition to his parents, Jim was greeted in Heaven by brother-in-law, Ray Carls; sister-in-law, Cindy Verhegge; nephew, Don Carls; and by Elaine’s parents, Henry & Margaret Carls.
PUBLIC visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. PRIVATE family services will follow at 11:30 am with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in West Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials to St. Lucy Church or to “Best Friends Animal Sanctuary” of Utah have been suggested.
Patricia Fuhrman says
Our Dearest Family,
We are terribly saddened to learn of Uncle Jim’s passing. He has always been a strong influence in our lives and a man of great integrity and honesty. We will miss him sitting in the last pew of St. Lucy’s waiting for our hugs and kisses on the cheek. Most of all, we admire and loved him for his loyalty to our precious Aunt Elaine. They set a wonderful example for all of us and we will miss him very much. God bless Elaine and his children and grandchildren. He was very proud of his family and spoke of them often. Mother, Eileen Carls, loved him too and sends her deepest sympathies and love. Love, Pat & Lee Fuhrman and Mother Eileen.
sydnee verhegge & abigail miller says
love you guys a lot!
Julie Carls-Mohrbacher says
Joyce, David, Pam and Dawn and Families ~ My heartfelt sympathy to all of you for the loss of your Father and my Uncle Jim. I was so saddened to learn of his having to leave his home and wife and then his passing. May you all take comfort in knowing he is with our Lord and savior. Thank you for including my dad and brother in your Father’s obituary; that brought me such comfort. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. God rest your soul, Uncle Jim.
Ron & Mary Ruffalo says
Elaine and family you have our deepest sympathy for the passing of Jim. May he reap the rewards and blessings from our Lord Jesus.
Kim and Gordon Mobley says
Love to each of you. I’ll always remember playing spoons around the dining room table with him, the demolition derby and swimming! Such great memories. Praying for comfort for you at this time.
Much love!
Dorothy & Bill Bushell says
To Elaine and all of the Verhegge Family:
Our sincerest condolences regarding Jim’s passing. He was a caring and thoughtful man to everyone. Sincerely, Dorothy and Bill Bushell and Family
Marilynn Thielen says
Jim was a happy, smiley guy. We would laugh while we did the taxes.