Verheyen, Rachel

1913 - 2014  (101 years)    Has 10 ancestors and one descendant in this family tree.

• Name	Verheyen, Rachel
  Born	21 Jul 1913
  Gender	Female
  News Mention	21 Jul 2013
  Green Bay Press Gazette
  Mix together a perfectly placed horseshoe, living at home and the act of God, and you will find Rachel Gay, De Pere's own 100-year-old spitfire. Gay was born July 21, 1913, and spent her 100th birthday with family and friends on Sunday at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay. Although she didn't spend any time on the popular Zippin Pippin wooden roller coaster at Bay Beach, Gay created more memories to carry with her through another year. "It takes a lot of courage to go on those rides!" Gay said at her home Monday. "We had more fun (Sunday) that I'll never forget it." Gay has five children, 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. A typically busy summer day for Bay Beach included about 60 of Gay's family members and friends at one of the park shelters. "It was just really nice, and everything turned out really well," said Donna Van Egeren, a daughter of Rachel. "She was so excited to see all of the people she hasn't seen in a while." Pat Van Egeren, one of Gay's grandchildren, was instrumental in the party planning and creating a time to remember. "This is a different party than what we have done in the past when we would normally gather at the farmhouse," Pat said. "With it being a special birthday, I thought this would be a way to make it a special day and honor her and celebrate her 100 years." On top of a hill on De Pere's far west side sits the farmhouse that was built 98 years ago. "She has been in this home since she was 2 years old," said Robert Gay, youngest of Rachel's five children. A small wooden plaque hangs on the back porch with the words "Verheyen Estate." Verheyen is Rachel's maiden name. Her parents, Henry and Mary Verheyen, built the farmhouse. "This home is going to be a landmark," Rachel said proudly. Gay's longevity of a century could be attributed to a handful of things, such as still being able to live in her home. Yet, she and family members unanimously agreed her sense of humor and frank personality has kept her going all of these years. "I am just a crazy old lady," Gay said with a laugh. "I'm crazy, and that's how to live life. I'm a fun lady, and I love making people laugh. They just don't make them like me anymore!" "She is a very strong-willed lady that grew up in hard times and raised a big family and instilled a lot of that strength and good working habits with the rest of the family," Pat Van Egeren said. "And, she has a great sense of humor, and she doesn't beat around the bush. My grandma will tell you how things are," a laughing Van Egeren added. Gay is cared for at the house by two of her children - Robert Gay and Donna Van Egeren - along with a caretaker, Dee Stevens, who, according to Donna, is an angel in her mother's life. When asked what she does now to keep herself busy, Gay kept it very simple. "I just live," she said. Gay is still healthy at her age and walks with a cane. "Her health is pretty good, and she walks around the house five times a day, so she gets good exercise and eats really well," Robert said. Rachel was married to Ray Gay for close to 60 years. Ray died in 1997 at the age of 85. They were farmers for about 40 years. Rachel also spent a number of years working downtown in a fabric store and also sewed wedding dresses. "She is a very strong lady, and we are totally blessed to still have her here," Donna Van Egeren said. "She is the glue that keeps this family together." Among the many gifts Gay received for the momentous occasion was a birthday note sent from The White House in Washington, D.C., with the signatures of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. True to form with her humor and personality, Gay joked that she would rather have had someone, even a stranger, wish her a happy birthday than receiving the presidential recognition. Those who know and love her wouldn't expect anything else.
  Died	9 Sep 2014
  Obituary	14 Sep 2014
  Green Bay Press Gazette
  Gay, Rachel Our Mom, Rachel Gay went "Home" to meet Jesus on September 9, 2014. She was surrounded by her loving family, holding her hands as she made the transition. Rachel was born July 21, 1913 to the late Henry and Mary Verheyen. Mom was a direct descendant of the first settlers in Ashwaubenon, her Grandfather Joseph Vercauteren settled here May 19, 1872 on Circle Drive. She was very proud of the story and told it often. On September 23, 1937 she married Ray Gay at St. Boniface Church in De Pere. Together they raised 5 children and farming was their life for many years. After that she worked for Julie Ann Fabrics in Green Bay for 10 years. Rachel was a member of St. Boniface Parish for many years & also Our Lady of Lourdes. Another part of her life was being a Charter member of the Happy Hearts Homemaker Club, which she enjoyed immensely. Rachel had many passions, some of which were Faith in the Lord, taking care of her children, going to their cottage on Kelly Lake with Ray each summer, having fun with her Homemaker friends, taking care of "Shorty" her dog, playing & teasing her grandchildren and teaching her children & grandchildren that hard, honest work was important, but good fun was also very important to our Mom. Rachel was a very caring & generous person, taking people into her home, feeding & clothing them. She is survived by her 5 children Donna Van Egeren, John (Carol) Gay, Mike (Sharon) Gay, Marianne (Dave) Boyer and Robert Gay. Rachel is also survived by her 13 grandchildren Kathy (Tony) Doxtator, Patrick (Paula) Van Egeren, Carrie (Chad) Diedrick, Julie (Craig) Schmidt, Tim Gay, Jodi (Nick) Zerillo, Michael (Aimee) Gay, Kelly Gay, Shelly (Kevin) Gallenberg, Renee Lemmen, Dana (Jessie) Haro, Jonathan Bougie, Andrew (Jessy) Gay, and step grandchildren Chelsea (Travis) Antone, Giovanni Doxtator, Alex Boyer, Amber Boyer. She is further survived by her great grandchildren; Sommer, Dante, Devin, Alexis, Madison, Gabriella, Michael, Mackenzie, Sophia, Isaac, Alaina, Courtney, Drake, Angelina, Riley, Trent, Dominic, Jamie, Leilah, Logan, Dylan, Alexandria, Gianna, Everly, McKenna and Brenna. Rachel's grandchildren were the light of her life, telling each one of they were her "favorite". She was preceded in death by her husband Ray, her son-in-law Bill Van Egeren, her parents Henry and Mary Verheyen. Rachel's siblings Frances (Fred) Aerts, Leo (Florence) Verheyen and Mary (Clarence) VanderMissen also preceded her in death as well as Ray's family Joseph (Anna) Gay, Alvina Gay and Louis (Angeline)Gay. Please join us in celebrating the life of Rachel Gay, on Monday September 15, 2014 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family, corner of Lourdes Ave and Suburban Drive in De Pere. The visitation will begin at 9am and end with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am with Fr. Tim Shillcox O. Praem officiating. Please go to www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the family. The family respectfully requests wearing bright colorful attire in honor of Rachel's 101 years of life. Mom's last brightness she brought to us before she left on her journey to be with Dad was her bright smile & eyes - leaving a warm lasting memory for all of us. Rachel's family would especially like to thank Dee for the loving care she gave our Mom. She has touched our hearts & spirits with love which will never be forgotten. Additionally we would like to thank the staff at St. Mary's Hospital, Woodside & Unity Hospice for their loving thoughtful care for our Mom.
  Person ID	I125963	1FamilyTree
  Last Modified	12 Oct 2015

  
  

  Father	Verheyen, Henry,   b. 13 Dec 1875, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA ,   d. 28 Dec 1960, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA  (Age 85 years)
  Mother	Vercauteren, Maria Clothilda,   b. 10 Sep 1876, Hollande, , Hainaut, Belgium ,   d. 10 Oct 1963, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA  (Age 87 years)
  Family ID	F58991	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Gay, Raphael "Ray",   b. 25 Mar 1912, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA ,   d. 9 May 1998, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA  (Age 86 years)
  Married	23 Sep 1937
  Children	1. Gay, John,   b. 2 Sep 1945, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA ,   d. 26 Apr 2015, Ashwaubenon, Brown, Wisconsin, USA  (Age 69 years)
  Last Modified	14 Sep 2014
  Family ID	F49145	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Gay, Rachel (Maiden Name: Verheyen)