Jean M. Verhagen

Jean Mary Verhagen, age 88, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2024. She was born on June 22, 1936 to the late Benjamin and Gertrude (Kolberg) Zwick.

Jean was a graduate of Kaukauna High School Class of 1955. After graduation, she went on to cosmetology school and graduated from State College of Beauty Culture. She worked as a beautician for many years. She truly loved helping others feel like the best version of themselves.  Jean also worked at numerous other places such as Norka, The Starlite Club, Settle Inn and cleaned offices at Team Industries and Thilmany. She married Frederick Verhagen in the Spring 1962 after a blind date at Van Abel’s and they built a life together while raising their three children until Fred’s death on November 4, 1994. Jean was the last remaining member of the “Golden Girls” who always made a point to get together over the years for their “Lawn and Garden Club” where they enjoyed participating in football pools, sign-ins, old fashioneds, Miller Lite and the shake of the day.  Jean loved her sweets!  Her favorites were any type of chocolate especially Turtles, Butterfingers, Cadbury Caramello bars and Pearson’s Salted Nut Rolls. In her spare time, Jean enjoyed making ceramics, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, planting her flowers, and watching the birds at her bird feeder at her home. Family was Jean’s greatest joy in her life and she cherished every moment made with her children and grandchildren.  Jean loved having the family over for Christmas which was her favorite holiday.  One of Jean’s greatest memories is traveling to California with Pud and Nancy.  An interesting fact about Jean is that she was the first car hop at Dick’s Drive-In in 1955. Jean will be remembered for her kind heart and caring nature. In Jean’s words, it’s never goodbye, it’s “I’ll talk to you again.”

Jean in survived by her children: Kay (Mark) White, Gary “Nick” (Brenda) Verhagen, and Jon (Lisa Schadrie) Verhagen; grandchildren: Kayley Jean (special friend Pierce) White, Dylan (special friend Shayann) Verhagen, Cody Verhagen, Kevin Boyle, Paul Boyle, and Carley (special friend Tyler) Verhagen; brothers-in-law: Merle Verhagen and Clayton (Jeannie) Verhagen; close family friend, Doran “Garth” McArthur; as well as many extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; sister, Carol “Pud” Tapley and her husband, Richard Tapley; in-laws: Wilbert and Irene Verhagen; and sister-in-law, Gloria Verhagen. She was further preceded by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life for Jean will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 2401 Fieldcrest Dr., Kaukauna, with a time for sharing at 12:30 p.m. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

Jean’s family would like to extend a special thank you to her many caregivers from Silver Stone Memory Care for providing such excellent care to “their Bean” as well as her neighbors: Vicki and Harry Rosin for always looking out for their mom. Each and every one of you were very special to her.

“I’ll talk to you again”