Mass Video for Verena Wester

Verena A. (Burmesch) Wester, of Port Washington, Wisconsin, was called home to her loving God on May 2, 2021, at Lincoln Village Assisted Living in Port Washington, at the age of 94.  Verena was born on July 10, 1926, to John and Margaret (Binsfeld) Burmesch on the family farm in the Town of Fredonia, near Holy Cross, Wisconsin.   As a child, she loved her pet cats and life on the farm.

Verena attended Holy Cross Grade School, St. Mary’s High School in Port Washington, and graduated from Port Washington High School in 1943.  During World War II, Verena was employed in the office of Smith Bros. Fish Shanty Restaurant in Port Washington, and, throughout the war, she dated the love of her life, Private Bertram “Bert” Wester, who served in Burma, Bangladesh and India.  On June 29, 1946, Verena married Bert at Holy Cross Church in Holy Cross.  The couple farmed her parents’ farm until moving to Belgium, Wisconsin, in 1951.

Verena was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and homemaker.  After her children were in school, she was employed as credit manager at Philipp Sales, Inc. in Belgium.  She later worked as credit manager at Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corp. in Port Washington.  Verena and her husband Bert were founders of the American Legion Post 410 in Fredonia, and co-founders of the American Legion Post 412 in Belgium.  Verena served as charter president of the American Legion Auxiliary in Belgium.   She was currently a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Belgium and of St. John XXIII Parish in Port Washington.

Verena had a strong faith in God which was evident in how she lived her daily life.  She found spiritual strength in her personal prayer, in celebrating Mass and sacraments, in praying the rosary and in being a part of church community.  She had a special devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and St. Anthony. 

Deeply proud of her Luxembourg heritage, Verena spoke fluent Luxembourgish all of her life and enjoyed Luxembourgish food, traditions, relatives and visitors from Luxembourg, and her three visits there.  Her life was deeply rooted in faith, family and community.

Verena is survived by her sons, John (Valerie) Wester of South Orleans, Massachusetts, Joseph (Susan) Wester of Sun City West, Arizona, and Kevin Wester of Milwaukee, and daughter, Barbara (Michael) Beattie of Port Washington; along with seven grandchildren, Matthew (Lucy) Wester, Morgan (Jeff) Carder,  Tom (Meredith) Wester, Laura (Evan John) Wester, Scott (Sara) Janeshek, Brian Janeshek, Mark (Colleen) Janeshek, and great-grandchildren, Eliana Wester, Trent Carder, Reese Carder, Stuart Janeshek, Sullivan Janeshek, and Sienna Janeshek; in-laws, Jim and Lucille Wester, Gordon and Mary Thill; as well as nephews and nieces, special friend Fred Hang, former neighbors and many friends.

She was proceeded in death by her husband of 70 years, Bert, who died July 16, 2016; her infant son, Tommy Wester; parents, John and Margaret (Binsfeld) Burmesch; sisters, Elsie (Burmesch) Weyker Reiter and Leona (Burmesch) Anzia; and brothers-in-law, Gregor Weyker, Bill Reiter and Alvin Anzia; and in-laws, Herb and Beatrice (Wester) Krier and Robert and Beatrice (Wester) Thill.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John XXII Parish – St. Peter of Alcantara Catholic Church, 1800 N. Wisconsin Street, Port Washington, WI on Friday, May 7, 2021, at 6:30 p.m.  There is no visitation prior to Mass. Following Mass, there will be dessert and visiting with family and friends at Lepanto Banquet Hall at Country Inn & Suites, 350 E. Seven Hills Road, Port Washington. Masks are to be worn and social distancing will be practiced. A private burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lake Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Bells of St. Mary’s Inc., P. O. Box 135, Belgium, Wisconsin, 53004, or they can be mailed to Kevin Wester, 1707 N. Prospect Avenue 10B, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202.  Memorials will support the building of a bell tower in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lake Church, to house the three historic bells of St. Mary’s Church.

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12 Comments

  1. I’m sadden to find out you are gone. You were like my Angel on earth! You always gave me the best advice and I still have the rosary you gave me I keep it with me at all times for protection. Love you

  2. Kevin, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Your mother was beautiful as a person and mother.
    Jane Klehr
    (Dan Pauly and Nancy Pauly’s Aunt)

  3. Kevin, reading your mom’s obit is just another reason I’m proud of my heritage. Just a good, kind, Luxembourger to the end.
    My condolences to your entire family.

  4. So sorry for the loss of your mother. She was such a kind and wonderful woman. She and Bert were good friends of my parents….Lou and Elaine Tackes. I will remember her fondly in my prayers. Peace be with you Kevin and your entire family.

  5. Kevin and Family,
    Please accept my deepest condolences. Your mom lived a full and wonderful life. You were all fortunate to have had her in your life for so many decades. Hold tight to all the precious memories of your mom, they will bring you comfort.
    Cynthia

  6. We are deeply saddened by the news of your mom’s passing. She had a long and rich life and as we remember allways being proud of her Luxembourg roots.
    Our thoughts are with you, Kevin and your family.
    Marianne & Roby

  7. My condolences to the family. I knew your mother and grandmother as a kind person with welcoming heart.

  8. Dear Kevin, John, Barbara, and Joe,

    Our condolences on the passing of your Mom. As I reflected on your tribute to your Mom, my distant aunt, Verena, I thought about the blessing of living for nearly 95 years with close family, friends, and community. What also struck me was your Mom’s contribution to her communities as well to connection to her large family and her long successful marriage to Bert.

    While a sorrowful moment, we should celebrate her life, which was well lived.

    Robert and Beulah Schmitz (Singapore)

  9. Deepest sympathy for your loss. We’ve lost another former Belgium resident. May God grant you His peace during this difficult time.

  10. I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mother was always very sweet to me. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  11. The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
    We are so sorry for your loss, Kevin, and hope precious memories will comfort you.
    Ferney & Bill

  12. Our sympathies to the extended family. She was such a friendly person whenever we met.

    Neal and Clare (Ken and Beata Schueller’s daughter) Bowe Family
    Waco, Texas

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