Vera Marie Eichstaedt, 96 years old, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022 at The Greenfield House in Tomah, Wisconsin. She was born on October 14th, 1925 to Carl and Alice (Bruce) Menzel in Park Falls, Wisconsin.
Vera moved with her family to Stevens Point when she was 14 years old and graduated from PJ Jacobs High School. Vera absolutely loved school and enjoyed recalling memories to her family about her schooldays. Vera was a skilled French horn player and a social butterfly. She also loved to tell stories about her love for mathematics and never shying away from a challenge set forth by her teachers.
Her love for the sciences and her warm, caring disposition lead her to nursing school. She received her nursing degree from Milwaukee County General Hospital in 1947. Her nursing career extended over 50 years, including many years as head nurse of the Coronary Care Unit at Milwaukee County General.
It was at this hospital that she met her future husband, Milwaukee police officer Harold “Red” Eichstaedt. Red and Vera had five children, Suzanne (Sue), Harold, Jr., Gerald (Jerry), Jean, and John.
Food was, without a shred of doubt, Vera’s love language. Vera was a phenomenal baker and cook. Vera was known for making a delectable chocolate log roll, and spoiling her childrens’ teachers each year at Christmastime by making 25 different types of cookies. An adept candy maker, Vera’s homemade caramels and English toffee were instantly gobbled up, and Vera delighted in seeing her grandchildren enjoy every bit of her peppermint parfaits and cream puffs. Vera’s delicious tasting food has stood the test of time and she would be happy to know that even her great-grandchildren are requesting her baked spaghetti to this day.
Vera will be remembered by her family for her generosity, warmth, humor, and vivacious spirit. She will also be remembered for her diehard love of the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers, and her love for hostas and birdwatching. Lastly, Vera stated that she wanted to be remembered as a good mother, something that her children would undoubtedly agree was true.
Vera is survived by her children: Suzanne (Michael) Anderson, Gerald “Jerry” (Linda) Eichstaedt, Jean (Brian) Rabe and John Eichstaedt, grandchildren: Jeff (Jessica) Anderson, Nathan (Marea) Anderson, Jennifer (Stephen) Dechant, Julia (Ryan) Schroder, Jaclyn (Bryan) Beall, Drew (Kristen) Eichstaedt, Gina (Rushane) Eichstaedt, Tyler (Marisa) Eichstaedt, and Matthew Eichstaedt (Jessica), as well as her great-grandchildren: Bayan, Aidan, Michael, Olivia, Claire, Leland, Ada, Clark, Bennett, Harper, Leighton, Adaline, Sylis, Elyk and Ithali; her brother Gerald Menzel.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harold “Red” Eichstaedt, infant son Harold Jacob Jr., her parents Carl and Alice Menzel, brothers Harold (Bud) and Bruce Menzel, and sisters Jane Burgess and Betty Alleman.
A private family service will be held at a later date with burial at Valhalla Memorial Park in Milwaukee. Memorials in Vera’s name may be given to The Greenfield House in Tomah, Wisconsin.
The Eichstaedt family would like to extend a special thank you of gratitude to Missy and the staff of The Greenfield House for the excellent care provided to Vera. In addition, we thank Hospice and the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home for their compassion shown at this time.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
