Verna R. LaRonge, age 71, of Hayward, WI passed away Friday, October 23.

Verna Rae Schmock was born July 5, 1949 in Hayward, WI, the daughter of Raymond and Elizabeth (Butler-Gougé) Schmock. She attended Boylan School until the fourth grade, when the family moved to Minneapolis, MN where she graduated high school at Minneapolis South (Home of the Tigers). Verna met Michael J. LaRonge and they were together for many years prior to October 28, 1994 when they were united in marriage. Verna and Mike resided in Hayward. Verna worked at Cordon Bleu, Inc. for ten years as an office manager. She then worked as a bookkeeper in Minneapolis, MN for several years. Verna also worked at the Lac Courte Oreilles Housing Authority as the Executive Director, Heart of the North Home Furnishings as a bookkeeper and Bonnie’s Florist as a bookkeeper/office manager for many years. She was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan and loved spending time with her husband Mike, her friends and her family. Verna enjoyed arts and crafts and was a proud supporter of her nieces and nephews’ extra-curricular activities.

She is survived by her husband Mike; brother Art (Judy) Schmock of Hayward; sisters Wanda Toews of Rice Lake, Millie Merk and Norma Ross of Hayward; brother-in-law Thorne (Francis) LaRonge; Sister-in-Law Judy LaRonge of Hayward; and many nieces and nephews.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond & Elizabeth Schmock; brothers Roger and Eldon Schmock; sisters Yvonne Gregory and Sylvia LaRonge; brothers-in-law Rich Merk and George Ross; and nephews Gordon Gregory and Art Schmock Jr; nieces Kalena Altizer, Kathy, Tamra and Nikki Schmock.

Honoring Verna’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation service and a private family gathering will be held at a later date.

Honorary bearers will be Keith LaRonge, Shane Schmock, Robert Schmock, David Ross, Dennis Schmock, Donald Schmock, Daniel LaRonge & Michael Gregory.

‘In Memory of Verna’ memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society c/o Kym Kirk, 14451W Courte Oreilles Lake Drive, Hayward, WI 54843 or www.relayforlife.org/sawyercountywi. A special thank you to the Marshfield Clinic Health System and Hospital for Verna’s medical care and during her stay and especially to Regional Hospice for their end-of- life care.

Last Update: Oct 27, 2020 6:35 am CDT