Agnes C. Van Gompel

Van Gompel, Agnes C.

Agnes C. Van Gompel (nee Verkuilen), age 86, of Menasha entered into God's loving embrace on Tuesday morning, August 18, 2015. Born on February 28, 1929 in the Town of Norrie, Wisconsin, Agnes, daughter of the late Edwin F. and Susan F. (Ostrowski) Verkuilen. Her family moved to Menasha where she attended Catholic Schools until graduating from St. Mary's High School. She immensely enjoyed her employment with Schaller's Grocery Store from junior year of high school until one year after her husband was discharged from the U.S. Navy, October 1953.

Agnes and Clement M. Van Gompel were united in marriage September 1, 1951 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Menasha. Their exemplary marriage fell just shy of 64 wonderful years. They were blessed with seven children.

Agnes was the heart of the family. A woman of strength, patience, acceptance and love, she quietly shared her wisdom with those she loved. Agnes treasured social gatherings with life-long friends, the Menasha Canasta Cuties and the Kimberly Couples Card Club. She was a member of Nicolet Ladies Council 1838. Many were fond of her pistachio torte and her hickory nut pie made for the Knights of Columbus fish fry dinners.

Agnes was a master at raising her family, her "little flock," and had a multitude of talents that included cooking, baking, canning, sewing, and keeping a well-run household.

She has enriched the lives of her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her family of loving friends. She will be sincerely missed.

She is survived by her husband Clement, her daughters: Laura Van Gompel, Menasha, Lisa (Scott) Helker, Seattle, WA, Gina (Dean) Zaretzke, Waupaca, Sara (Mike) Scharpf, Oshkosh, Jana Van Gompel, Oshkosh; grandchildren: Amanda McNamara, Teresa Buss, Brian Fiedler, Angela LaCount, Van Helker, Cal Helker, Sam Zaretzke, Frank Zaretzke; great grandchildren: Tommy, Benjamin, McKiley, Bryson, Kenzly; a sister, Lorraine Beachkofski, Menasha; a brother, James (Carolyn) Verkuilen, Neenah; a sister-in-law, Marge Verkuilen; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Paula Fiedler; her son, James C. Van Gompel; son-in-law, Michael Fiedler; a brother, Edward Verkuilen; and brother-in-law, Marvin Beachkofski.

The Funeral Mass for Agnes will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church (528 Second Street, Menasha) with Rev. Paul Paider officiating. Friends will be received on Friday directly at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Menasha. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Agnes' name may be given to the St. Mary Catholic Middle School Building Fund.

Westgor Funeral Home

1140 Appleton Road

Menasha 720-0314

Online Condolences

www.westgorfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to thank Agnes's at-home caregivers: Teresa Schmidt; and Theda Care Home Health, especially Stacy Wagner-Boggs. Mother appreciated the at-home spiritual ministering she received for many years from Debbie Spielbauer and Deacon Rick Dvorak.