Joan "Punky" VerBurst

Joan M. "Punky" VerBurst, 76, of Niagara, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at The Golden Living Center in Florence, Wis. She was born on Feb. 24, 1936, in Iron Mountain, the daughter of the late Bernard and Rose (Grailer) Walton. She was raised in Breitung and graduated from Kingsford High School. She married Francis "Pete" VerBurst on Feb. 12, 1955, at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. The couple moved to Niagara after their marriage, where Joan resided on Main Street for 50 years. Joan was a dedicated full-time mother. She was involved in Girls Scouts for 10 years, Boy Scouts for three years, and the Redettes. She enjoyed sewing clothes for her children and along with Pete, going on family vacations. In 1970, Joan joined Tupperware, and worked for them for 26 years. She also drove bus for the Niagara School District from 1971-1978. After retiring from Tupperware, she did home health care and catering, until she fully retired at the age of 67. She enjoyed quilting and her time quilting with the Saintly Stitchers. She was an avid reader and had enjoyed traveling in her younger years. Joan is survived by three daughters Barbara (Tom) Aderman of Teague, Texas, Beverly (Dave) Dodsworth of Niagara, and Fran (John Bertoldi) Vandervest of Niagara; one daughter-in-law, Shari VerBurst of Niagara; two sisters, Shirley (Vern) Weinfurter of Kingsford and Sandy (Richard) Roberts of Kingsford; one sister-in-law, Ruth Ann (Ron) Zadra of Madison; a step-sister Joan (randy) Stohl of Iron Mountain, 11 grandchildren, Peter (Jana) Aderman, Emily (Clint) Evans, Ritha (Brandon) Smith, Samantha Jecevicus, Stephenie Jecevicus, Tony Jecevicus, Erik Rasmussen, Megan (Brad) Moscou, Kate (Jason) Koehler, Stacy (Dan) Melby, and Nikki (fiancee Tim) VerBurst; and 13 great-grandchildren, Dakota Jecevicus, Malorie Smith, Nate Evans, Hailey Rasmussen, Talor Wheeler, Kalyn Smith, Kenlee Aderman, Tony Wheeler, Carter Melby, Logan Rasmussen, Landon Evans, Kayla Rasmussen, and Alix Aderman. She is also survived by special friends, Sam and Lois Chartier, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis in 1982; two sons Charles "Chuck" VerBurst and Douglas Paul VerBurst; and one brother, Bernard Walton Jr. Visitation will be Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Father Matthew Settle will officiate. Burial will be in the Niagara Cemetery. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Condolences to the family of Joan "Punky" VerBurst may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.

Joan "Punky" VerBurst

August 2, 1936 - August 2, 2012