Carole Jean (Day) Vergauwen, passed away on December 9th, 2021. Patiently waiting to join her husband Francis J. Vergauwen.
She was born on April 29th, 1940 in Superior, WI, daughter of Percy and Lucille Day. On July 9th, 1960, Carole married her sweetheart, Francis Vergauwen. Married for 57 years until Fran went to heaven in 2018. Carole lived her remaining years continuing to love on her family and to say Yes to as many possibilities as she could.
Carole had the gift of conversation. She modeled compassion as she shared her talents, time, and resources like confetti. Many generations of friends became family and dubbed her “Mom and Grandma” and once you became family, you were loved forever. She cherished her family, and attended as many events and everyday happenings as possible. From birth coach to concerts, and sporting events. She was as dependable as the sunrise.
Carole graduated from Superior High School. She received her associates degree in Radiology at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan. She married a sailor on July 9th 1960 and had five children in seven years. They returned to Superior to help out their family then lived in Siren, WI. They moved to Waupaca in 1967. While raising their family, she worked at Waupaca Hospital, Wild Rose Hospital, Iola Hospital, and Waupaca Veterans Home. Her children would agree that her best job was running Grandma’s Daycare, as she volunteered to pick up many of her grandkids after she was done with her part time job and led them in lessons and adventures.
She was quite involved in her children’s groups and community. To name a few, she led and/or participated in Scouts, 4H, Catechism, St Mary’s Magdelene’s church functions, Food Pantries, Blood Drives, Curling events, Snowpackers, Jaycees, Lioness, and foundational Waupaca events. For example, She and her friend, Donna Belter created 8th grade graduation, a tradition that continues to this date. A scholarship for Waupaca High School graduates has been started By Carole and will start this Spring, Fran and Carole’s generosity will continue far beyond their time here. She and Fran enjoyed their family activities; snowmobiling, camping, traveling, and hanging out on the Chain O’ Lakes. In later times they continued to travel, joined pit crews for off road racing, and continued connections with those they care about.
Carole had a passion for traveling. Her motto was “always say yes!”. She traveled near and far with family and friends. Carole did her last mission trip to Guatemala at age 80, confirming you are never too old to do the work of the Lord. She is survived by her 5 children; 6 including a French Exchange student that became a daughter for life. She had 16 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren, and many adopted daughters and sons and their children. Her words of wisdom would be to spend time with the young, spend time with people and listen, really listen.
Her family connections included;
Shaun (Dave) Thoe with children Danielle and Travis. (Missi Barrows ), children – Tragon, Kaname and Phoenix. Waupaca
Ken (Jill Rolfs) Vergauwen with children JT and (Amy Williams), Eric (Andrea Ficco), and Tony (Nikki Nigbor), children – Ryder, Addison, Piper and Finn, Waupaca; Jim (Renee Culton) Vergauwen with children Carlene Lyons (Darrick), children Talliya and Arricka, Stephanie (Kachur), Elliot (Weed), daughter Hayden, McKenzie, Colton and Melissa; Lisbon, WI.
Kelly (Ben) Baumgart with children Isaac, Sam, Simon (Carolina Cortez), and Hannah, Waupaca; Paula (Rick) Culton with sons Dallas and Kyle, Waupaca, French family connection Nathalie (Francis) Broc with children Luca and Nina
She loved spending time with siblings: Late – Jack Day, Donna Wright (Late – Gene) and Janet Mansfield (Late-Edward) Sibling in Laws, Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Late Rich (Barb) Vergauwen, Ken (Alice) Vergauwen, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband Fran Vergauwen, her parents Percy and Lucille Day, brother Jack Day, and grandson Baby Gary and in-laws, Gaston and Elsie Vergauwen and Orville Hazel .
Memorial service will be held at Faith Community Church in Waupaca (N2541 Hwy K). on December 28th at 1:00 PM. Visitation hours will be held Monday December 27th 3:00 PM-7:00 PM and December 28th 11:00 AM – to the start of the 1:00 PM service . A lunch will follow at Faith Community Church. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in the name of Carole Vergauwen and will be used to continue her legacy of helping those in need. Holly Funeral Home is helping the family with these happenings.
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