LaVerne M. Wusterbarth Schleis, age 88, of Kiel, died peacefully in her loving daughter’s arms in her home when she was called to heaven on April 1, 2016.
LaVerne, a precious wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was born on February 15, 1928, in Manitowoc, the daughter of the late Matthew and Hildegard (Tauschek) Novack. LaVerne married Richard Schleis on February 10, 1984.
LaVerne graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School in 1946. During her high school years, she worked at Mitzi’s Hat Shop with her mother. LaVerne was employed at Tecumseh for 15 years in assembly-pool. She also tended bar at various establishments.
LaVerne was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Kiel, WI. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, writing poetry, entertaining people in local variety shows, playing cards, reading and gambling. LaVerne was chair of a group who organized a local variety show for the Senior Citizens, Manitowoc Custerdale in 1952, and also chaired a variety show to raise money to help start Little League in Kiel in 1962.
LaVerne is survived by her husband of 32 years, Richard, five sons: James (Ann) Wusterbarth, Daniel (Sharilyn) Wusterbarth, Matthew (Sandra) Wusterbarth, David (Cheryl) Wusterbarth, Nathan (Therese) Wusterbarth; two daughters: Susan Conrad, Lisa (Robert) Konen; and three stepsons: Rick (Diane) Schleis, David (Sandy) Schleis, Jim (Maryjo) Schleis.
LaVerne is further survived by 21 grandchildren: Brigette (Steve Hoerth) Wusterbarth, Heather Wusterbarth (Joshua Rowley), Jessica (Chirag Shah) Wusterbarth, Anthony (Maria) Wusterbarth, Troy (Jody) Wusterbarth, Rebecca (Carl) Brienen, Kishon (Nathan) Whittier, Leah (Scott) Warren, Tessa (Andrew) Abrahamson, Angela (Adam) Lougee, Melissa Conrad, Zachary (Tracy) Wusterbarth, Brittany (Kyle) Thomas, Destiny (Todd) Holmes, Ramsey Wusterbarth, Harmony Wusterbarth, Shane (Kim) Konen, Talicia, Vanessa and Kaleb Wusterbarth, and step-grandchildren: Jaime Schleis, Derrick Schleis, Alison Schleis (Chris Johannsen), Austin Schleis, Adam Schleis, Jessica Schleis, and Dexter Schleis.
LaVerne also leaves behind 31 great-grandchildren: Henry, Vivi, Cole, Anna, Trevor, Laura, Alysa, Amelia, Inara, Luna, Meara, Reese, Van, Gemma, Penelope, Beatrice, Xavier, Madeline, Owen, Natalie, Beckham, Orion, Tommy, Nasir, Mason, Carson, Alivia; step-great-grandchild Clay, with three more great-grandchildren due this year.
Survivors include one sister, Lorraine (Leroy) Trochil, one sister-in-law, Eunice Wusterbarth, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Lyle Wusterbarth; son, Timothy Wusterbarth; son-in-law, Phil Conrad; great-grandchildren, Joseph Whittier and Fiona Brienen; step-son, Joseph Schleis; two brothers, Leonard (June) Novack, John (Marge) Novack; and three sisters, Charlotte (George) Reimer, Marguerite (Clarence) Felber, Ann Novack.
The funeral service for LaVerne will be held 11:00am on Saturday April 9, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 387 Cemetery Rd, Kiel, WI. Rev. David Laabs will officiate. Friends and family may call at the church on Saturday from 9:00am until the time of services.