Virginia Gohdes passed into eternal life in the early morning of July 22, 2012 at Ministry Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill, WI.
She was born September 29, 1918 in Granite Heights, Wausau, WI; the daughter of Gustaf E. and Albertina Sofia (Johnson) Anderson. She graduated from Wausau Senior High School in 1936 and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Il. And the Art Institute in St. Paul MN. She married Milton H. Gohdes on August 27, 1949 in Wausau. Virginia worked as a seamstress and alteration lady at Bannen’s Dept. Store in St. Paul. In Chicago she worked at the American Medical Association. She then worked as a clerk at Heinemann’s Dept. Store in Wausau. She also worked for Merrill Canning Company and Took the U.S. Census for the town of Texas and Town of Wausau. Virginia was a homemaker, and with Milton, farmed in the Town of Texas for many years. She was a life-long member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Pine River where she was a member of the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed quilting for Lutheran World Relief. In addition to her quilting, she added sewing, crossword puzzles, reading, and gardening to her list of hobbies. She was so proud of her prize delphiniums. Bible Study was important to Virginia because she was a woman of strong faith. She had integrity and courage, overcoming many obstacles in life, yet remaining warm and grateful for even the smallest blessing. She always was generous and kind, putting others before herself, with an adventurous spirit and wonderful sense of humor and laughed to the end. She was interested in life, loved to learn and keep up with current events. She had many funny and fascinating stories of the “good old days” growing up in Granite Heights that others enjoyed imagining. Virginia was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Virginia Resided at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill for the past three years, and it is for those three years of wonderful care and love from the staff there that Virginia’s family extends their sincerest and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. Thank you to the many awesome and dedicated individuals who work so hard to make their residents’ lives better.
Virginia is survived by her daughters Amy E. Garofalo of Goldsboro, NC and Gayle M. (Richard A. McCoy) of Wausau, three grandchildren Terri Lynn (David) Grice, Angela Garofalo, and Scott (Yvette) Garofalo all of North Carolina; three great-grandchildren Alexander George, Onesti, and Izaah, a step-great-grandchild Malcom; a brother Stewart (Helen) Anderson of Wausau, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by two brothers Werner Anderson and Herbert Anderson, her sisters Evelyn Anderson, Elvy Anderson, Elsie Anderson, Ragnhild Ziemer, and Astrid Holtz; son Jeffrey C. Gohdes; and a son-in-law Richard Garofalo.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Pine River. The Rev. David Faulkner will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at a later date.
Mid-Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. Online condolences can be given at www.mwcs.ws