Verna Cecilia Alt, 72, peacefully entered eternal life on Wednesday, December 03, 2014 with her loving family at her side. Our mom was born on April 23, 1942, in Baraboo, WI, the daughter of Louis and Melania (Pulvermacher) Pape. She graduated from Sauk City High School in 1960, and went on to work at the Prairie Clinic for 30 years before retiring in 2004.



Mom had a beautiful voice, and enjoyed singing all her life. She grew up singing with her family, singing in the church choir, was a member of the Madison Diocesan Choir and most recently was a member of the Hilltop Gospel Singers.



Our mom was incredibly creative. Throughout her life she crocheted beautiful afghans, embroidered table clothes and pillow cases, and in her later years found joy in painting amazing pictures. She generously gave many of her creations away as gifts. Those who received them, knew they were filled with love.



Mom was happiest when she was surrounded by all of her family, or visiting with friends. She was a wonderful cook and loved to bake. One of her favorite things was finding a new recipe to share with her family.



Mom's faith played a pivotal role in her life. She was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Sauk City for over 50 years, a member of Christian Women's Group, and the former Catholic Daughters of the Americas.



She loved to laugh and even though these last years she suffered a lot, she kept smiling and made the best of each day. So many times when she wasn't feeling her best she would still say, "I'm doing good". She was a very strong, remarkable woman and an incredible role model for all of us. She touched everyone she met with her gentle way and beautiful spirit. She lived her life with thoughtfulness and kindness, thinking of everyone else before herself, even up until the end. She never complained, and taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace.



Mom is survived by her devoted and loving husband Gerald (Jerry) Alt, and her wonderful family, Randal Walsh, Dean (Joanne) Walsh, Keith (Wendy) Walsh, Brad (Jeanne) Walsh, Stacey Walsh, Steve (Brenda) Alt, Randene (Steve) Long, and Michael (Christine) Alt. She is also survived by her amazing grandchildren, Tiffany, Dustin, Natalie, Sterling, Brittney, Camryn, Vincent, Morgan, Jaden, Jenna, Nick, Sara, Carysa, Tara, and a sweet great-grandson Mason Henn.



She is further survived by her mother, Melania Pape, siblings Ruth Scherwinski, Richard (Judy) Pape, Howard (Sally) Pape, Harry (Sue) Pape, Jeanne (Tim) Taylor, and her brothers- and sisters-in-law Wilfred (Diane) Kuehn, Mary Walsh, Pat (Conrad) Pulvermacher, Marilyn Brickl, Wilfred (Marsha) Alt, Tom (Peggy) Alt, Judy (Carl) Hacker, Ron (Connie) Alt, Bobbi (Art) Beal, Karen Praksti, Kathy (Steve) Thimling, Shari (Al) VonBehren, and Duane (Dawn) Alt.



Our mom was preceded in death by her father Louis Pape, and her siblings, Mildred Kuehn, Art and Mary Jo Pape, and father- and mother-in-law Leonard and Irene Alt.



The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for her during her illness. A very special thank you for the compassionate care of Dr. Heun and the Dean Oncology Staff. A most heartfelt thank you to Deb from Hospice, for her kind touch and gentle way with mom.



A visitation will be held on Monday, December 8 at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME in Sauk City from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH in Sauk City at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9. She will be laid to rest at St. Aloysius Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at St. Aloysius school gymnasium. In Verna's memory, donations can be made to Sauk Prairie Healthcare, or Home Health United-Hospice.



Mom, whenever we see a cardinal, we'll forever think of you. Until we meet again, may God keep you in the palm of His hand.