Anita Jean Verheyden passed away peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. The former Anita Wright was born to Florence (Devroy) and Martin Wright on May 11, 1931, and would have been 90 this year. She attended West Lakeside School in Suamico for 8 years, and graduated from West High School in 1949. Anita worked at Kellogg Bank and Joannes Brothers Wholesale. She met Harvey Verheyden at a dance and they loved to dance together. Harvey was in the Army, stationed in Okinawa for 2 years, and Anita waited for him. They were married on May 9, 1953 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Howard. She stayed home to raise her 3 daughters, and later worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Nutritional Services for 20 years. They built their home on Reforestation Road in Suamico as Harvey was employed at the Reforestation Camp and NEW Zoo for many years. Anita was very fond of her Suamico heritage, and her saying was, "Once you have Suamico sand in your shoes, you always come back." They were members of Ss. Edward & Isidore Catholic Church in Flintville. Anita was an active member of the Altar Rosary Society and very involved with the funeral dinners. She also enjoyed helping at the annual church rummage sale. She and Harvey enjoyed playing cards, and Anita played cards with her Suamico friends and other card groups for many years. She also enjoyed going out to lunch with the "West High 49ers", as well as crocheting, knitting, doing puzzles, and visiting with her family and friends. Anita was a loving mother and grandmother who took great pride in her family and their accomplishments.

Anita is survived by 3 daughters and sons-in-law; Linda and Denis Sheedy, Lori and Richard Spreeman, and Mari and Michael Mlynczak. She is further survived by 7 grandchildren; Paul Sheedy, Kari Folk, Sarah Sheedy, Katie (Donovan) Morris, Matthew VanLanen (Jenna Johnson), Andrew Mlynczak and Julia Mlynczak, and 4 great grandchildren; Kira Folk, Gavin and Jaxson Morris, and Colin VanLanen. Harvey's sister, Norma Gerrits, brother-in-law, Elmer VanderVelden, and many nieces and nephews, family and friends also survive her, as well as Margaret Wesolowski, who had been her friend since she was 4 years old.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey, on June 9, 1994; parents, Martin and Florence (Devroy) Wright; and Harvey's parents, Antone and Ida (Collard) Verheyden. Also preceding her in death were her sisters, brother, and their spouses; Lorraine and Joe Kaczmarek, Clifford and Madeline Wright, Leila and Fred Valentine, and Harvey's sisters, brothers, and their spouses; Martha and Leo Scray, Stella and Bernard Davis, Eleanor and Ambrose Kropp, Earl and Geneva Verheyden, Alvin Gerrits, Donald Verheyden, Dorothy and John VanBoxtel and Lorraine VanderVelden. Her best friend, Mary Jean Sheedy, also preceded her in death.

Family and friends may call at Ss. Edward & Isidore Catholic Church, 3667 Flintville Rd, Suamico, on Saturday, March 13, 2021 from 10:30-11:30.  A private Mass of Christian Burial with immediate family only will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. David Hoffman officiating. Masks will be required and social distancing will be practiced.   If people don't feel safe to attend because of COVID-19, we will completely understand. The Mass will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/Ss-Edward-Isidore-Church-562136803967841 Entombment will be in the Allouez Catholic Mausoleum.  Online condolences are welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com

Anita's family thanks the staff at St. Mary's Hospital, Alpha Senior Concepts in Suamico, and Patti for their loving care and compassion.