Verna Gildemeister

Gildemeister, Verna L. MADISON/ RACINE It has pleased our Heavenly Father to summon the soul of Verna L. Gildemeister from this earth to dwell with Him in heaven. Verna peacefully passed away at HospiceCare in Madison on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. Verna was born in Racine, on March 21, 1918, to Martin and Hilda (Hansen) Schultz. On Sept. 9, 1939, she was united in marriage with Albert E. Gildemeister at Trinity Lutheran Church, Racine. Verna loved flowers and every summer, with Als help, their yard was in bloom with many colors of flowers. She lived in her home on William Street for 55 years. In 1996 Verna moved to Madison, where she received the loving care of her children. Her patio on Chapel Valley Road had the same beautiful flowers as she had enjoyed in Racine. Al and Verna were long time active members of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Racine. Together through the years they volunteered on many projects there. She valued her church membership and continued it in Madison. She was also a silent member of the Racine Retried Firemens Association. She volunteered at Lincoln Lutheran Convalescent Home for 20 years and at Racine Lutheran High School Thrift Shop for 12 years. After moving to Madison, she joined Immanuel Lutheran Church and volunteered there. She willingly volunteered for Bethesda Lutheran Home gift shop through knitting projects for many years. Verna is survived by her children, Bonnie (Ron) Perkins of Madison and Glen (Jamie) Gildemeister of Antigo; grandhcildren, Gregg Perkins (Jane Simon) of Tampa, Fla., Scott Perkins of Madison, Amy (Neil Law) Gildemeister of Canton, N.Y. and Kate (Tim) Gawne of Knoxville, Tenn.; and a precious great-granddaughter, Alice Gawne of Knoxville, Tenn. She is also survived by many and much appreciated thoughtful nieces and nephews as well as cherished friends in Racine and Madison. Special friends include, Sheila Virtue and Annette Konicek who provided loving companionship to her for years in Madison. Thanks to HospiceCare workers and Deaconess Juanita for their loving care in her last days. And thanks to a furry terrier, "Curry" who provided unconditional love and joy to her the past two years. Verna was predeceased by her parents; a brother; and sister-in-law, Leroy and Helen Schultz and their children, Marilyn, Jim and Barbara. A memorial service for Verna will be held in Racine on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at 11 a.m. (visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m.) at WEST LAWN CEMETERY CHAPEL, 9000 Washington Ave. A memorial service will be held in Madison on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, at 1 p.m. (visitation beginning at noon) at IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1021 Spaight St., Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church Foundation, 1021 Spaight St., Madison, WI 53703, Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 or Racine Lutheran High School, 251 Luedtke Ave., Racine, WI 53405 or a charity of ones choice.