On Saturday, November 19th, 2022 Carmen Ann Ver Hagen passed away at the age of 90 years, 4 months and 26 days young. Carmen or Carmie as she was known to many (or Carm if you were our Dad), was born June 24th, 1932 to Margaret (Zeller) and George Abts, in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Carmen was the eighth of twelve siblings. In High School she played trumpet in the marching band. She left Arcadia after graduating from High School for Eau Clare WI. It is there that she worked for Fannie Farmer Candy Co. and also where she met her husband. Carmen married Raymond Ver Hagen in 1952. She stayed in Eau Claire while Ray was in the Air Force – Stationed in Japan. During this time her first son, Randy was born. Upon Ray’s return, the family was stationed in Sault Ste. Marie, MI., where her second son Mike was born in 1954. The Family moved to the Milwaukee area, after completing Ray’s Air Force service, finally settling in Waukesha in 1959 shortly after welcoming daughter Patty.
Carmen enjoyed helping Ray in the gardens and canning the vegetables they grew. She was a wonderful cook and baker, kept a tidy house and loved to re-arrange the living room furniture, often. Carmen filled a variety of work shoes over the years, starting in the 1960’s at Amron in Waukesha where she helped produce medium caliber ammunition cartridge cases. She also worked in office/book keeping positions finally working at WA Krueger as a key punch operator. Later years found Carmen caring for friends children in her home. One of Carmen’s joys was gatherings with family, whether at reunions, camping or the simple home cookouts. She and Ray were very active in their Church life for over 30 years. They served together in various callings and had a strong testimony of their faith. ‘Grandma’ Carmen loved spending time with her Grandchildren here in WI and greatly missed those living a far. A highlight was traveling to AZ to meet Grandchildren and Great Grandchild for the first time. Carmen was a faithful care giver to aging family and friends, often providing respite to others. She had a great sense of humor and a love of playing games. Chinese checkers, Po-Ke-No and Mancala were a couple of her all-time favorites. She was particularly good at puzzles and word games.
One of Carmen’s favorite past-times was watching and going to Brewer Games. She was what we all call a confused fan as she equally rooted for the ‘Cubbies’. She faithfully supported her grandkids by attending their softball and baseball games through the years.
Carmen is preceded in death by her husband Raymond, her parents and sisters Moraine (Mike) Suchla, Marjorie Rumple-Andre, Catherine (Orvelle) Brenner, Dawn (Bud) Kostner, Evelyn (Clifford) Laehn. And her brothers Melvin (Luella) Abts, Eugene (Luz Marie) Abts, William (Shirley) Abts, Daniel (Patty) Abts.
Carmen is survived by her children Randy (AZ), Michael (NM) and Patty (Karl) Ayer (WI). Her Daughters in-Law Claudia and Mary Jane (AZ). Her Grandchildren, Jasen (WI), Kristen (Jeff) Benson (AZ), Taryn (Mitch) Klatt (WI), Tyler Ayer (Chelsey) (WI), Michelle (AZ), Brynn (AZ). Her Great Granddaughters Mayce & Hadley (Kristen) (AZ), Rallee (Taryn) (WI). Sisters Mary Lou (Dave) Sabotta (WI), Jane Abts (WI) and sister in-law Luz Marie Abts (TX) and many nieces, nephews and grands.
Funeral Service to be held Saturday December 10th, 2022 at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, N84W17937 Menomonee Avenue, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. Visitation at 3 until 4:30 pm with a Funeral Service at 4:30 pm. Everyone is invited to join the family for dinner following the services. Burial will be private.
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