Rita Everdina Rose (Verhaagh) Pamperin, age 98, of Green Bay, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024. She was born to the late Henry and Frances (Wildgans) Verhaagh on June 16, 1926, at St Mary's Hospital. At 16, Rita left her parents' home and moved in with a family in Green Bay to both work as a live-in nanny and fulfill her wish to graduate high school. She became a proud graduate of Green Bay West. On May 30th, 1953, Rita married Harold Pamperin at St. John the Baptist in Howard.

In early adulthood, Rita found fulfillment in her work wrapping gifts at Prange's and later as a telephone operator. Rita met Harold in her early childhood, having grown up just down the road from one another. They hadn't started dating, however, until 1952 after they were set up on a double-blind date. Rita and Harold enjoyed polka and waltz bands, going out for Chinese or seafood, and taking rides up North. Together, they had 10 children. While raising her children, Rita still found time to work summers at Larsen Canning Company and volunteer at St Vincent de Paul with her sisters. She was a hard worker, a loving mother, and a devout Catholic. Rita was a long-time member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Green Bay and could always be found with a rosary prayer bead or two in her pocket. Rita's greatest joy in life was time spent with the family she built. Sunday drives and family games of Sheepshead are memories shared by many close with Rita.

Rita is survived by her children, Dan (Sue), Lee, Lori Long, Julie (Allen) Van Lannen, Glenn (Yvonne), Carl (Sheri), John, Fred, Joe (Rhonda), daughter-in-law, Lori Pamperin; grandchildren, Kari, Lora, Melanie, Matthew, Kacy, Kyle, Clint, Heather, Ryan, Robert, Hannah; twelve great-grandchildren; three sisters, Adele Vanden Heuvel, Veronica Rudnick, Anna Roffers; one brother, Norbert (Elaine) Verhaagh; many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; son, Greg; daughter-in-law, Pam; son-in-law, Rick Long; siblings, Mary Kimps, Joe Verhaagh, Walter Verhaagh, and Audrey Daul.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 4 at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a Parish Wake to follow. Visitation will continue at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 211 S. Maple St., from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, August 5, with the Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11am. Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park.

The Pamperin family extends their gratitude to Unity hospice and to the whole caring staff of Cardinal Ridge for their loving care, especially to Briley. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com