LANCE S. VERHULST
Lance S. Verhulst, age 61, of 121 Crestwood Drive, Elkhart Lake, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Mequon, after a brief illness.
He was born Oct. 24, 1947, in Plymouth, son of the late Gerald and Geraldine (Greisch) Verhulst.
He attended grade school in Plymouth and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1966. After that time, he worked for Gilson Brothers until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 serving in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam War. After serving his country, Lance was honorably discharged from the Army and returned home.
He married Bev Miley at St. George Catholic Church in Elkhart Lake on Sept. 19, 1970. The couple made their home in Plymouth and later moved to Elkhart Lake where they have lived for the past 37 years.
Throughout his working career he worked for the Milwaukee Railroad, Gilson Brothers, Wicks, and Ameriquip until illness forced him to retire in 2000.
In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, spending time with family and grilling out in the backyard. He even found himself gaining the name of “Master Griller.” Lance also found himself involved in various clubs and organizations including serving on the Elkhart Lake Fire Department for 15 years, the Elkhart Lake Lions Club, where he was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award, a member of the Glenbeulah VFW, and past member of the Plymouth American Legion Ladwig-Zinkgraf Post 243.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Bev of Elkhart Lake; three sisters, Kay (James) Resop of Sheboygan Falls, Shelia (James) Simons of Howards Grove, and Mary (Harry) Walsdorf of New Holstein; his mother-in-law, Margaret Suemnicht; 13 nieces and nephews, Leigh Ann (James) Langstine, Joseph Simons, Lindsey Simons, Beau (Tabitha) Waldsdorf, Seth, Elijah, and Sydney Waldsdorf, Megan Young, Cory Kempf, Eric Thiel, Elizabeth Smith, Ryan Suemnicht, Alex Suemnicht; and a godchild, Jennifer (Chris) Lund. He is further survived by his loving cat, Doofer, and many other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law, Al Suemnicht; two goddaughters, Theresa Sagle and Kim Breckheimer.
A Mass of Christian burial was held Friday evening, Aug. 14, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Elkhart Lake with the Very Rev. Dennis Van Beek officiating. Burial has taken place in the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Cemetery in the town of Rhine.
Wittkopp-Schneider Funeral Home of Plymouth is assisting the family with arrangements. The Plymouth American Legion Ladwig-Zinkgraf Post 243 conducted military rites at the cemetery. Online condolences may be sent through www.wittkoppschneider.com.
