Carrol LaVerne Verken, 88, of Belvidere, IL passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at his home. It was a cold and snowy day in Norwalk, Wisconsin on December 20, 1934. Carrol was born within the confines of his childhood home to the late Abner and Grace (Zimmernann) Verken who raised him to value faith, family, and work ethic. Many of these life lessons came from doing chores on the family farm. Carrol spoke fondly of going to the market every Saturday with the eggs he and his mother collected. In addition to his daily chores, Carrol attended a one room schoolhouse. As a teenager he transitioned to Sparta High School where he graduated with the class of 1953. Upon graduation, Carrol enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years. Time marched on and in 1957, Carrol met Mary (Mann) on a blind date. Love was in the air and less than a year later they exchanged vows on June 7, 1958, in Winona, Minnesota. This young couple ventured together to the big cities of Milwaukee and Chicago, before landing back in Sparta, Wisconsin. Here he worked for the family business, Williams Wilbert Burial Vault Company. Carrol and Mary soon welcomed children Bill, Kim, Kate, and Betsy. Another move was in store for this family of six going to work at Chrysler. This move turned out to be just the right one. Carrol would make Belvidere his home, and he worked at Chrysler for the rest of his career. Both joy and tragedy visited the family in Belvidere. The Verkens were blessed with neighbors and friends that became “family”. Carrol spent time in his garden, he cheered on the Brewers and Packers, and found enjoyment camping with his kids. The most significant tragedy came in 1980 with the loss of his son, Bill. While learning how to manage life without Bill, Carrol continued his work at Chrysler until he retired in 1990. Retirement brought more opportunity and joy for Carrol. Mary and Carrol traveled and found a home away from home in Door County, Wisconsin. At the cottage, he enjoyed boat rides, biking, and golfing with his friends, and family, especially the grandkids. Door County was his own little slice of heaven on Earth. Joy multiplied when grandkids married, and great grandkids were born. As he aged, his highlights included having “donut day” and meeting up with his coffee crew. He was loved and will be missed by many. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; daughters, Kimberley (Mark) Zierke, Katherine (Brent) Holloway, Betsy (Dale) Albright; eight grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren. Carrol was preceded in death by his parents, Abner and Grace; son, William “Bill” Carrol Verken; sister, Eunice Molstad; brothers, Erwin Verken, Arthur Verken, Stanley Verken. His life will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 3, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere, IL at 11:00 A.M. A visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. until the time of service. Interment will be private. Memorials can be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Carrol’s name.