LAVERNE KONS

LaVerne Kons passed away at the age of 95 on Saturday, December 10, 2022. She fought hard to stay alive even up to her last breath, but her heart was too weak to go on.

She had a difficult year battling health problems, but she always managed to keep on fighting to live and even overcoming a bout with COVID. She would tell everyone that her kids would not let her go. She also said that she had the best kids. We heard that many times this year.

LaVerne was born on August 6, 1927 in Milwaukee to Mary (Sigl) and William Matuszak. She grew up on a farm near Seymour, and attended a one-room schoolhouse in her younger years. She was able to finish one year of high school and then she was expected to go to work to help her family. At age 15, she worked at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. She also lived at the hospital and performed many duties such as working in the lunchroom, cleaning hospital rooms, and working in laundry. Later on, she worked in some of the mills, including Scolding Locks in Appleton.

On June 18, 1949, she married Norman A. Kons and they went on to have 11 children. Besides managing a large family, mom did volunteer work at her church, St. Patrick's in Menasha. She continued to volunteer later in life as well, even while taking care of her husband who had suffered a stroke in 1982. She volunteered at St. Joseph's Food Pantry in Menasha for 18 years and St. Vincent DePaul store in Neenah.

LaVerne enjoyed life and participated in many events in the area, especially with her younger sister, Dorothy Kons. Dorothy and LaVerne were always together. Oktoberfest was one of her favorite events. LaVerne loved to go to dances in her younger years. She loved dancing to polka music. In fact, she met her husband Norman at a dance hall. She loved being active, especially biking all over Doty Island up to the age of 85. She learned how to swim in her 50s and cross-country ski, and golf. She did many activities with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would love to go to their games and school events even into her 90s. She loved playing cards and board games such as Scrabble and Chinese Checkers and didn't like to lose.

Mom enjoyed going to her Rosary Club every Monday morning at St. Patrick's. She also kept a garden that her children helped her maintain in recent years. Tomatoes were one of her favorite things to eat.

LaVerne loved to travel and went on many trips with her younger siblings. She and her sisters also took annual trips to Milwaukee and Door County. One of her favorite trips had been to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. She also loved going to church picnics around the area, watching the Packers, and the World Series.

LaVerne lost her husband Norman on April 20, 1999. She is survived by her children: Luann (William) Streur, Menasha; Steve (Debbie) Kons, Menasha; Fred (Christine) Kons, Neenah; Norman (Kelle) Kons, Appleton; John Kons, Menasha; Jolene Kons, Appleton; David (fiancée Cindi Henschel) Kons, Clintonville; Mary (Tom) Kaul, Shawano; Margie (Rodney) Bastin, Menasha; Peter Kons, Menasha; and Amy (Ryan) Hanson, Livonia, MI. LaVerne is further survived by her 18 grandchildren: Nicole, Heather, Ben, Sarah, Andrea, Christopher, Kristin, Adam, Alicia, Becky, John James, Scott, Jacob, Patrick, Cassandra, Cresha, Corisa, and Conan; and 28 great-grandchildren. Also surviving her brothers: Norbert, Ronald, and Richard (Marge) Matuszak; and her sisters: Dorothy Kons, Alice Vanden Langenberg, Barbara Socha, JoAnn (Bill) Vanden Langenberg, and Marilyn Socha; her in-laws: Jake (Lucia) Kons, Anna Mae Matuszak, Jerry (Jeannie) Kons, Marie Kons, and Sharon Kons.

LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Norman Kons, by her sisters: Mary and Joan Matuszak, Eleanor Zakowski; by her brothers: Donald, Harvey, LeRoy, and Ralph Matuszak; by her brothers-in-law, Gregg, Alex, Bernard, Merlin, Leander, and Hugo Kons, Emil Wolff, Jerry Willems Van Dijk, Roger Zakowski, Joe and Alvin Socha, and Larry Vanden Langenberg; sisters-in-law, Eileen Wolff Willems Van Dijk, Diane Matuszak, Rose Kons, Betty Kons, Phyllis Matuszak, Marlene Matuszak, and Kathleen Oriedo. LaVerne is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and Godchildren.

A Funeral Mass for LaVerne will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at St. Patrick Parish, 320 Nicolet Blvd. and will be officiated by Fr. Phil Schoofs, Celebrant, assisted by Deacon Richard Matuszak, LaVerne's youngest brother, who will deliver the homily. A visitation will be held Friday, December 16, 2022 from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home, and will continue at church on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until the hour of mass. LaVerne will be laid to rest next to Norman at Holy Angels Cemetery, Darboy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LaVerne's favorite charities: St. Joseph's Food Pantry, St. Vincent De Paul, and COTS in the Valley.

LaVerne's family would like extend a special thank you to Dr. Curtis Baltz, her doctor for over 40 years, for all of his care, as well as her nurse Sherry Klein, RN for her assistance and care during her stay at Oak Park Place.

Mom, you will be forever missed and our hearts are broken from losing you. We know you are dancing in Heaven with Dad until we meet again. Love, your children.

Mom's Journey

Written by Amy

When my moment on Earth began to wind down, a fleeting glimpse emerged to signal my forthcoming journey.

The last night spent with a celestial existence suddenly included a familiar face embedded from within to guide me through visions of ambiguity.

With my last breath taken I began to fade away into infinite time guided by an earthly presence that entrusted me to divine spirits while awaiting the unforeseen messenger where all of my expectations gave rise to interpretations of absolute transcendence. There the children stand near to bring me to my prepared destination through the trinity between the beginning and the end.

In my triumphant goodbye to loved ones and friends I whisper the expression, Donec Iterum Conveniant (Until we meet again).

Although no longer visible, I remain within the blue of the sapphire where enigmatic communication may be the beacon to eternity.