Maravel A. "Monnie" Verhagen, Kaukauna, age 89, went to meet her heavenly father and family on Thursday January 2, 2014 at her home in St. Paul Villa with her family at her side. She was born July 19, 1924 in Wrightstown to the late Peter and Harriet (Van Vreede) Berken. On August 24, 1944, Monnie married Richard P. Verhagen at St. Paul's Church in Wrightstown. He survives her after 69 years of marriage.

Monnie was the loving mother of twelve children, nine sons and daughters-in-law: Ron (deceased) and Tami, Kaukauna; Ken and Pam, Hortonville; Pete and Marie, Kaukauna; Roy and friend Kelly, Florida; Dennis and Verla, Kimberly; Paul and Mary Jo, Appleton; Pat and fiancée Shelly Retzlaff, Kaukauna; Fran and Barb, Kaukauna; Tony and Sherrie, Hortonville; and; three daughters and sons-in-law: Betty and Bob Merbach, Kaukauna; Terri and Tom Biese, Menasha; and Rose and Gary Heindel, Kaukauna. She is further survived by 33 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; her sister Lyola Smith; sister-in-law: Millie (Ervin) De Bruin and brother-in-law: Ves (Min) Verhagen; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and son Ron, Monnie was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law: Greta (Bud) Green and Florian (Ed) Schendel; brother-in-law Clyde Smith; and her husband's family: Fr. Donald Verhagen, Fr. Norbert Verhagen, Raymond, Larry (Gladys), Ben (Marge), Ed (Rose), Lloyd (Doris) and infant Francis Verhagen, Agatha (Ray) Nussbaum, Ceil (Norbert) Meulemans and Martha (Ignatius) Schuh.

The love of Monnie's life was her husband Rich, her twelve children and her faith in God. She had been a Eucharistic Minister since 1972 and despite a busy home life, found time to take care of the communion robes and votive candles at church. She also volunteered at funeral meals and for the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the St. Mary's Altar Society for many years.

During her retirement years, Monnie loved to go to their trailer at Washington Resort on Shawano Lake where she and Rich had many good friends, but most of all she enjoyed the slots at the casino.

Visitation will be held Tuesday January 7, 2014 at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. MARY CHURCH (119 W. 7th St. Kaukauna) beginning at 2:00 p.m. until time of Mass at 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Jerry Pastors will officiate. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery on a later date. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.

The Verhagen family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the hospice staff at St. Paul and also all the girls in the Villa. We appreciate all the extra help you gave our mom. You treated her with great care and dignity!