Heaven has gained another angel. Verda W. Riley passed away peacefully surrounded in love by her four daughters at ProHealth AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI on January 4, 2022.

Verda was born on March 13, 1935 in Chicago, Il and remained a steadfast Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan. 

Verda is survived by her four loving daughters: Nanette (Walter) Kern of Sussex, WI, Jacqueline Riley of Racine, WI, Isabell (Shawn) Clarke of Oak Creek, WI and Michelle (Mark Newbury) Lacher of Union Grove, WI; Ten grandchildren: Christopher (Lacey), Jordan, and Timothy (Melissa Bunk) Kern, Stephen Rohleder, Matthew and Joshua Lacher, Nicholas and Benjamin Clarke, Audrey and Noah Mc Mahon; Two great granddaughters: Christal and Aubree Kern: Nieces: Dawn Ericksen, Judy (George) Michaels; Nephews: Robert (Brenda) Riley, Michael (Sue) and Kevin (Connie) Riley; and many great nieces and nephews. 

During her retirement, Verda was a very active member of the Sussex United Methodist Church. This included being a part of their Women’s Group and was very proud of her special mission project aimed at the youth of the church. When asked to choose one word that defined her, she chose the word “Faith”. Her faith was very strong and she participated in numerous bible study groups, including some with her daughter Nanette at SpringCreek Church. Each year, she would design a quilt for the women’s retreat and enjoy presenting it to the winner. Verda made numerous quilts for family and friends, for which the family requests the quilts to be brought to her church service to be a part of the quilt display. She loved spending time with all of her grandchildren whether it was at a soccer game, baseball game, musical, band concert, the park, the beach, baking with them, or playing a game of monopoly with her that took years to complete. Verda devoted her life to her four girls. She prayed and was guided by Matthew 6:25-34 especially the last verse: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

Verda is preceded in death by her niece’s husband Glen Ericksen, her niece Pat Higbee, her twin brother, Guthrie Riley, her niece Kathleen Crouch, her sisters Isabelle Ahrweiler and Myra Mills, her mother Agnes Riley, her brother Robert Riley, her nephew Ernest Ahrweiler and her father Robert Riley. 

A celebration of her life will be held on January 8, 2022 at Sussex United Methodist Church at N63W23523 Main Street, Sussex, WI.  Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. with a church service to follow at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow immediately after the church service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Scholarship Fund at Sussex United Methodist Church, “the kids at church are important to me”. In addition, please consider memorial donations to ProHealth AngelGrace Hospice, Oconomowoc, WI.