KING – Leonard Verhulst Jr., 75 , passed away to the Lord on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at Riverside Medical Center, Waupaca.
He was born Jan. 8, 1934, Netherlands, Holland, the son of Leonard Verhulst Sr. and Mary (Leegwater) Verhulst. Shortly after becoming a U.S. citizen in 1952, Leonard Jr. served his country two years in the U.S. Army. He was formerly married to Margaret Stiemsma, of 48 years. Over the time of his life, Leonard worked as a fork truck driver, a carpenter, and molder with Monarch Range of Beaver Dam. Leonard is a Veteran of King Veterans Home in King, Wis. Leonard is a member of Crossroads Community Church in Madison. He is also a member of the Association for the Blind for the visually impaired in Madison, Wis. Leonard was very involved and active with the association and helped others to gain access for sight by donating a reading eye machine to the Appleton center for those who could not afford it. He loved meal outings, shopping trips, bingo, and work therapy while at King. He loved talking and spending time with his friends and was a very kind and caring man. Leonard also loved spending time talking and visiting with all of his grandchildren.
Leonard is survived by his children, Sarah (Leroy) Wiersma, Black River Falls, Leonard (Pam) Verhulst, Randolph, and Doug Verhulst, Dane; grandchildren, Tiffany (Josh) Grogman, Royce Wiersma, Lance Wiersma, Leandra Verhulst, Britni Uhrich, Lindsey Verhulst, Hunter Verhulst, Lexis Verhulst, and Hannah Verhulst; brothers, Jake Verhulst (Florence), Griffith, Ind., Arthur Verhulst, Largo, Fla., Nico Verhulst (Ann), Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Annie Ridder (John), Lansing, Ill., and sister-in-law, Laurie, Lansing, Ill. Leonard is further survived by his good friend Pam of four years, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Sr., and Mary (Leegwater) Verhulst, and brothers, Arrie Verhulst, Adrian Verhulst, and younger sibling, Arthur Verhulst, at 8 years of age, of Holland.
A military service will be celebrated at the chapel of Wisconsin State Veteran’s Home of King, Wis. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Chaplain John Schmidt will perform the service. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Maple Crest Funeral Home in Waupaca, Wis.
Family and friends thank King Veterans Home for all their care and support.