Verna Mae Van Nuland

Verna Mae Van Nuland (Griesbach), of Appleton, age 84, passed away on December 29, 2024. She was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus at Meadowbrook Nursing Care in Appleton. Verna Mae and her twin brother Vernon Michael were born on May 21, 1940. 

Following her early childhood, Verna began teaching at Woodside School in Freedom in a one room schoolhouse. She was a graduate of teaching school and taught for the majority of her adult life.

Creative by nature, Verna owned and operated Flowers by Verna. She specialized in wedding flowers. She also enjoyed Victorian Tea Parties-and hosted many throughout her life. She enjoyed cooking and gardening and especially loved teaching others healthy eating habits and how to prepare meals.

Verna loved to help people. She spent countless hours going to area nursing homes dressed as a clown to “goof off” with the residents. At Christmastime she also enjoyed dressing up as Mrs Claus to hand out treats and gifts. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren provided her with great joy.

The greatest gift Verna received was accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1972. Her second best gift was her family of 6 children (and their children). 

Verna is survived by her children: Greg Van Nuland, Colleen (Terry) Klein, Mark (Kathy) Van Nuland, Dean (Michelle) Van Nuland, Mike (Penny) Van Nuland and Luke (Erin) Van Nuland; 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her siblings Germaine (Tom) Metko, Vernon (Janet) Griesbach and Clarence (Rose Ann) Griesbach.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Marilyn Sturm, brothers Larry (Sue) Griesbach, and Bill (Pat) Griesbach.

A memorial service to celebrate Verna’s return to home will take place on Saturday, January 11th, 2025, at 11:00am at Cornerstone Church, 357 Broad St, Menasha, WI 54952. Friends and family welcome you to join them at the church before the service to visit and share memories from 9:00 to 11:00am.