Obituaries "V"

Vergara Jr., Dr. Victor G. Dr. V.G. Vergara Jr. MD, of Reedsburg, died of a sudden heart attack early Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003, in his home. He was born in Manila, Philippines on Jan. 9, 1929, to Dr. Victorino Lucas Vergara and Consolacion Garcia Vergara. He was the eldest in a family of eight children. He received his medical training at the Manila Central University and performed his internship at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing, Mich., and his general surgery residency in Colorado. The family moved back to the Philippines to practice medicine with his father. While in the Philippines, he was a co-author of a book "General First Aid and Personal Hygiene" for the citizens of the Northern Philippines; became president of the Isabela Medical Society, volunteered for the U.S. Peace Corps, and was an elected alderman in the Philippines. After several years, the family moved back to the U.S. and he started treating patients on July 6, 1970, in Reedsburg. During his time as a Reedsburg doctor, he believed that he delivered more than a thousand babies and treated numerous people until his retirement in 2000. He was dedicated to his profession, to help other people. Over the years in Reedsburg and Sauk County, he held many offices, some being president of the Sauk County Medical Society; chief of surgery at Reedsburg Area Memorial Hospital and more. He also belonged to numerous medical organizations. Even though he was busy, he found time to relax with his family by going fishing and hunting and some travel. Dr. Vergara truly enjoyed his chosen profession and found it satisfying and fulfilling. Even after he retired in 2000, he still felt a keen responsibility to people that needed him and his services. Dr. Vergara is survived by his wife, Mary; four children, Victor (Faith), David (Stacy), RoseMarie (Hugo), Timothy; and four grandchildren, Jerrica, Justin, Jason and Everett. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003, at the HOOF FUNERAL HOME on 312 N. Park Ave., Reedsburg, between 4 pm. and 8 p.m. Church services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3 2003, at SACRED HEART CHURCH, Reedsburg, starting at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that since he was the medical director of the Sauk County Health Care Center, and a surgeon at the Reedsburg Hospital, that donations are made to those organizations. Any funds will be made available to the SCHCC and to the RAMC and Auxiliary Scholarship Medical Funds.

Vertein, Merrell H. Merrell H. Vertein, age 72 of North Freedom, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2002, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison following a stroke. Merrell was born in Janesville, Wisconsin on March 19, 1930 to Harry and Amanda (Harms) Vertein. He graduated from the Reedsburg High School. On June 14, 1952, he was united in marriage to Wava Bender in North Freedom. Merrell served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He owned and operated Bender's Feed Mill for 48 years and Vertein Oil Company for 30 years. Merrell served on the Board of Directors of Baraboo Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and was a member of the Mid-Continental Railway and American Legion Post 172 in North Freedom. He also served on the North Freedom Fire Department for 38 years. He is survived by his wife, Wava Vertein of North Freedom; two children, Cynthia (Jeffrey) Haertlein of North Freedom, and Gregory (Dawn) Vertein of Stevens Point; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Brenna Vertein; a sister, Harriet (Ray) Schroeder of Richland Center; a brother, Donald (Lyla) Vertein of Bloomington, MN; his mother and father-in-law, Vera and Lloyd Bender; two brothers-in-law, James (Sandy) Bender and Keith Bender, all of North Freedom, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Merrell was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Randall. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2002 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Baraboo with Pastors Deb and Steve Ohrtman officiating. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom. Friends may call on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Military rites will be accorded at the grave.

Vertein, Agnes. Agnes Vertein of the Town of Freedom passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2001, at St. Clare Hospital at the age of 91. Agnes was born on October 18, 1909, to William and Johanna (Falk) Steinhorst. She married George Vertein on October 26, 1927 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Springs. They moved to the Town of Freedom in 1930 where they farmed for several years. She worked at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant for five years. Agnes loved flowers, fishing and playing cards. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Springs. Agnes is survived by five children, Allen (Marie) Vertein of Sauk City, Kenneth (LaVeta) Vertein of Baraboo, Dorothy (Duane) Stieve of North Freedom, Carl Vertein of North Freedom and Marilyn Vertein of North Freedom; a daughter-in-law, Faith Vertein; 20 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, one son, George, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and 11 brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2001, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Springs, with Pastor Paul Schroeder officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom. Friends may call on Wednesday, April 11, 2001, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Redlin Funeral Home and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the Church.

Vertein, Robert Edwin. Robert Edwin Vertein, 55 of Reedsburg, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at home. Robbie was born on Nov. 11, 1953 to George and Faith (Ziegler) Vertein in Madison. On Oct. 26, 1996, he was united in marriage to Sally Goodison in North Freedom. He was employed as a truck driver for Baraboo Sysco Foods. Robbie was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He especially loved spending time with his grandkids. He was a life-long member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in North Freedom. Robbie is survived by his wife, Sally Vertein of Reedsburg; three children, Tom (Becky) Vertein of Rock Springs, Toby (Kim Wolff) Vertein of Wisconsin Dells and Calista (Adam) Mundth of North Freedom; three grandchildren, Jacqueline, Alexis and Cole Vertein; his mother, Faith Vertein; six siblings, Rose Vertein, Wayne (Donna) Vertein, Bill (Fay) Vertein, Lynn (David) Zimmerman, Kris (Willard Palmer) Jackson and Lori (Rick) Hehenberger; a sister-in-law, Christine (Dean) Janzen; a special friend, Quentin (Julie) Vinet; nieces; nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, George Vertein, Jr.; his nephew, Tanner Zimmerman; two special friends, Jack Grosinske and Gehardt Schmidt; and his faithful dog, Spot. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in North Freedom with Pastor Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom. Friends may call on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009, from 2 until 6 p.m. at the Redlin Funeral Home, 401 Madison Ave. in Baraboo, and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in North Freedom.

Visquar, Julia L. Julia L. Visgar, 84, Union Center, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003. She was born on May 7, 1919 in Kendal, the daughter of Jacob and Anna (nee Pocepecky) Linhart. She married Leo Harvey Visgar on Oct. 3, 1939 in Winona, Minn. Julia was a homemaker on the family farm. She enjoyed bingo, shopping, her grandkids, great-grandkids and her friends. She never missed her grandkid's birthdays or their concerts. Julia was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. All who loved her will sadly miss her. She is survived by two sons, Gene Visgar, Union Center, and Leo Visgar, Union Center; three daughters, Darlene (Donald) French, Madison, Diane (Frank) Cundari, Reedsburg, and Debbie (James) Sullivan, Wonewoc; eight grandchildren, Michelle (Joe) Lohr, Rhonda (Gary) Froelich, Kristi Lesser, Daniel (Diana) Visgar, Jonelle (Barry) Peters, all of Reedsburg; Tammy (Brian) French, Madison, Jamie (Tracy) French, Elroy, Angela (Kevin) Hanson, Kenosha; 14 great-grandchildren; a step-grandchild, Heather (Mark) Shinn, Colorado; a step-great-grandchild; a sister, Anna Johnson, Madison; a sister-in-law, Mattie Linn, Belvadere, Ill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, on Feb. 20, 1996; her parents; a sister, Rose; and three brothers, Joe, Jacob and John. Funeral services will be conducted today, Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. in the Thompson Funeral Home, Wonewoc, with Fr. Wayne Kidd officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Eden Cemetery, Wonewoc. Friends called on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home and may call again today, Wednesday, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Michelle Lohr, Rhonda Froelich, Kristi Lesser, Jonelle Peters, Tammy French, Angela Hanson, Daniel Visgar and Jamie French. The Thompson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.