Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – January 19, 2000

Verice Walz

July 22, 1914 - Jan. 17, 2000

Verice Walz, 85, of Walkerton, Ind., died following a brief illness at 11:20 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, in Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center, South Bend, Ind.

A lifelong resident of Walkerton, she was born on July 22, 1914, to Verva and Maurice Fitzgerald in Walkerton.

On Aug. 3, 1940, she married Nelson D. Walz, who preceded her in death on May 20, 1988. She is survived by her "granddaughter," Susan Rice, several cousins and a wealth of friends.

Verice is remembered with love for the ways she enriched the lives of those around her. A retired registered nurse, she had worked for 18 years for Dr. V.B. Wolfe and for 20 years for Dr. G.R. Hershberger, both former Walkerton physicians.

She used her musical talents to bring joy to others, and still served as the regular organist at weekly worship services at the Presbyterian Church in Walkerton. She was also an ordained elder and a deacon who served as clerk of session for the local congregation.

Many area groups benefited from her gentle wisdom and her leadership skills. She was a member and past matron of the Walkerton Chapter #319 of the Order of Eastern Star, and was a member of the Walkerton Historical Society, Walkerton American Legion Post #189 Ladies Auxiliary, Walkerton Business and Professional Women, Women's Community Club, Women's Dining Club and Walkerton Tri Kappa. She was also a member of the American Nurses Association, the Federated Association of Amateur Musicians, and the Art League of South Bend.

Verice will be remembered by all those who knew her for her youthful attitudes and her zest for living. A celebration of her life led by the Rev. John Birkner will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, in the Presbyterian Church, Walkerton. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Walkerton.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 19, in the Nusbaum-Elkin Funeral Home, with a special Eastern Star service scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call in the church one hour before the service.

Contributions in memory of Verice Walz may be made to the Presbyterian Church in Walkerton.