Catherine Verhelst

Madison - Catherine Blanche Verhelst, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. She was born on July 14, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Anton and Bridgie Trepes.

She married John Verhelst Sr. on August 23, 1947 in Mauston, Wisconsin. Blanche has been a Madison resident for most of her life. She enjoyed her employment at National Mutual Benefit in Madison and all of her friends in retirement. Blanche embraced her independence and proudly succeeded in all of the challenges life brought her.

Blanche is survived by her two sons, John (Suzy) Verhelst from Winter Garden, Florida and Greg (Mary Rae) Verhelst of Verona.
She has five grandchildren, Jason (Paige) Verhelst, Rob (Nicole) Verhelst , Jamie (Chazz Huston) Verhelst, Megan (Ben) Bungey and Kaitlyn Verhelst , six great-grandchildren: Alexa, Maya, Noah, Payton, Avery and Ayda.

Blanche is also survived by two sisters: Anna Marie (Gene) Dougherty, Delores (Ron) Zielinski , one brother: Bob (Collette) Trepes.

She was preceded in death by her husband John Verhelst Sr., her parents, and her sister Agnes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, WI on Saturday, September 6, 2014, at 12 NOON with Father Bart Timmerman presiding. Family will greet friends at church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Madison following a luncheon.

The Cress Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family. Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

There will always be a special place in our heart for you mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister and friend. We love you and will miss you as you watch over us and guide us from heaven.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434