Verna Ray

Madison - Verna Florence Ray (nee Henninger), age 98, died peacefully on Friday, February 17, 2012 at a Madison nursing home. She was born on July 10, 1913 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Frederick Louis and Florence May (Hellmann) Henninger. She married John Henry Ray in Yuma, Arizona on April 2, 1933 and together, they went on to raise seven children. Verna remained a homemaker while her children were young and then went on to work at Central Wisconsin Center for 14 years. She retired in 1974, and in the years to follow, she enjoyed any opportunity to travel with friends and family. She was an avid reader and also liked solving a crossword puzzle each morning. One of her biggest passions was walking. It was a regular routine for her to trek 5 - 10 miles a day even into her early 90's. Verna is survived by her five daughters; Sylvia Butts of Montello, Patricia (Charles) Dunn of Sun Prairie, Victoria (Don) Albrecht of Endeavor, Peggy Ray of Madison and Mary (Lin) Ray of Madison, a daughter-in-law; Cheryl Ray of Poynette, 14 grandchildren; Mike (Debbie) Severson of Dodgeville, Dave (Sue) Severson of Verona, Sandy (Marty) Schutz of Oregon, Chuck (Paula) Severson of New Glarus, Pam (Mark) Christen of Belleville, Shelley (Alan) Jesberger of Sun Prairie, Jim (Karen) Dunn of Sun Prairie, Joel (Barb) Dunn of Seymour, MO, Karen (Gary) McDonald of Deforest, Deb (Gary) Daveler of Sun Prairie, Sherri Fowler-Blomstrom of Madison, Kirsten Ray of Madison, and Kadie and Adam Ray of Poynette, 24 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by two special nephews; Russell Henninger of Canon City, CO and Steven Henninger of Colorado Springs, CO. Verna was preceded in death by her husband John, two sons; Charles and John, two son-in-laws; Dale Butts and James Albrecht, her brother Russell Henninger, and a great great grandson, Chance Severson. The family wishes to express special thanks and gratitude to the staff of Belmont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the respectful and loving care they provided Verna. Private family services will be held at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY, Monona.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-249-6666
www.cressfuneralservice.com