Obit: Johnson, Virginia A. (1934 - 2016)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Benedict, Johnson, Neeck, Sokolowski, Trudeau

----Source: The Heindl Funeral Home (Phillips, WI) 9/16/2016

Johnson, Virginia A. “Ginger” (Neeck) (15 SEP 1934 - 15 SEP 2016)

Virginia A. “Ginger” Johnson entered into eternal life on her 82nd birthday, September 15, 2016.

She was born in Park Falls, Wisconsin, on September 15, 1934, to Sam and Amelia (Trudeau) Neeck.

Ginger spent her childhood years with her big brothers, Leland, Poosty, Farmer and Sam, and her sister, Gerry, in Park Falls. She spent many happy days on her grandparent’s farm in Medford as well. Ginger was a 1952 graduate of Park Falls High School. After high school she journeyed to Milwaukee to work first at Continental Baking, and then at the Boston Store.

Ginger married John A. Johnson on April 21, 1955. They returned to Phillips to live and start a family. Together they had and beautifully raised five children: Ruth (Gary), Sam (Vonda), John (Julie), Gerilyn, and Jodi (Dan). They survive her. She is also survived by her special grandchildren, Brady, Linda, and Shauna.

She is also survived by four precious great-grandchildren, Ruby, Sonny, Gracie, and Andrew, as well as a very special niece, Carolyn. Further surviving are her sister-in-laws, Lillian Neeck, Shirley Neeck, Rose Neeck, and Betty Neeck.

Ginger was preceded into eternal life by her husband of 60 years, John. Also going before her was their beautiful granddaughter, Jennifer, and son-in-law, Glen. Further preceding her were her parents, Sam and Amelia Meeck, her brothers, Leland Neeck, Herman Neeck, Gerald Neeck, and Sam Neeck, and her sister, Geraldine (Gerry) Benedict, and as well as several beloved nieces and nephews.

Active in the community, Ginger was a Cub Scout leader, and a member of the Slenderella Homemakers. She was a member of Saint John Lutheran Church and served on several committees. She especially enjoyed helping to prepare meals for special occasions. For more than 40 years, she looked forward to meeting with a wonderful group of friends once a month to savor good conversation and a bit of card playing.

Ginger spent several years working in the family business, Johnson Hardware, and was a representative for Avon. She then took a position as an educational assistant at Phillips elementary School until she moved over to the Phillips Community Day Care Center where she worked for 20+ years.

Working at the Daycare was by far her greatest passion and joy. She loved every child she worked with as if they were her own. It was not unusual to find her cheering them on at sporting events in the evenings. She spent many hours cutting, gluing, looking for and making special projects for the kids. It was a most exciting time for her when it came time to prepare and present the Christmas program. She retired at the age of 77 to spend more time with her first great-grandchild, Ruby Mae.

A celebration of Ginger’s life will be held Friday, September 23, 2016, at Saint John Lutheran Church. Visitation will begin at 9:30 with the church service at 11:00 A.M. Vicar Glenn Sokolowski will be the Officiant. A memorial fund is being set up.

“I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to myself,” Exodus 19:4

Online condolences may be expressed at www.heindlfuneralhome.com.