Virginia J. Demshar

Virginia “Virg” J. Demshar, of Waukesha, was received into the Lord’s open arms surrounded by love on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at age 96.

She was born on March 18, 1920 in St. Joes, WI to Edwin and Pauline Knaus. She graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1938 and Holy Family School of Nursing in 1942. After graduation she moved to California where she worked as a nurse at the VA hospital and met Vince. Together they moved back to WI where they married in 1946. She worked at Woods Veteran Hospital before moving to Waukesha and worked at the Virginia Nursing Home where she became the Director of Nursing. Virg then worked at Avalon Manor until her retirement.

Virg's life revolved around her church, children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful caregiver to many, always ensuring those around her were comfortable and well cared for. In between family and church, she was an avid card player--playing hand and foot, sheepshead with her family and bridge with her Waukesha friends--there was never a card game she didn't like. Her children and grandchildren all loved playing by "Grandma's house rules".

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vencil and three sisters, Zelda Blonigan, Rose Klinzing, and Martina Steffes and son-in-law Gary Mitchell. She is survived by her children Joyce Mitchell, Ron (Margaret) Demshar, Barb (Carl) Anderson, Jean (Allen) Gorell and grandchildren Sean (Pam) Mitchell, Scot (Laura) Mitchell, Brian (Anna) Mitchell, Peter Demshar, Michael (Amanda) Anderson, Casandra (Paul) Prokopovich and Nicholas Gorell, step-grandchildren Kevin Anderson and Amelia (Calvin) Phuong and two great grandchildren Jackson and Ava Mitchell with her third great grandchild to be born later this month along with her step-grandchild Skyla Phuong. Further survived by her sisters and brother Helen Paula Olig, Serena Quakenboss, Anna Marie Schwarz, Jimmy (Delores) Knaus and Carol Schneider and many close and dear friends.

Virg lived the true meaning of a Christian life. As an active church leader, she was involved at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waukesha in Christian Mothers, Resurrection Prayer Chain, funeral lunches, Bible Group, and Catholic Study Club. She was also involved in Waukesha Serra Club, Monday bridge at the Schuetze Building and many other bridge groups.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the 11:00 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, 225 S. Hartwell Ave., Waukesha. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be sent to St. Mary's Catholic Study Club 225 Hartwell Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186 or one's charity of choice.