Agnes Payne

Cottage Grove - Agnes M Payne, age 108, a true family matriarch, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.

She was born in Cross Plains on July 16, 1907, to Melchoir and Gertrude (Annen) Virnig. Agnes attended Badger School earning her diploma and Honorary Certificate Degree in handwriting.

In 1929, Agnes married Howard Gray Sr. having four sons together; the boys attended St James Catholic School. Later Agnes became a member of St Rapheal Church of Madison, when this church was destroyed by fire, she became a member at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monona. She was a faithful Catholic all her life.

Agnes was a very hard working independent woman. She walked, took the bus or cab wherever she went. She retired from Oscar Mayer Co after 31 years of employment.

Agnes had a love of music. She was a loyal member of the Eagles Club from 1964 to 2001where she enjoyed Friday night fishfrys, music and occasional dance with her mother in law Mary Gray and close friend Julia Rose. These three ladies also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States together. Agnes was an avid gardener, and loved flowers. Throughout her lifetime she enjoyed years of Annual Gray Family Picnics, camping trips, holidays and many other family get togethers. She loved her boys and you could frequently find her sitting around the campfire or elsewhere content listening to their boyhood stories. Whatever they needed she was always there to help anyway she could.

She was a natural born caregiver and has taken care of various relatives up into her 90's. She was very positive and never complained. Agnes was firm yet the most honest, kind, genuine person you could ever meet, a true Saint. She touched the hearts of everyone she met. She loved life and lived life to the fullest. She was quick witted and when you least expect it would throw in a joke or two.

After the death of her last surviving son she moved in with her granddaughter Julie (Gray) Kunz and grandson-in-law Guy Kunz. Here is where she entered into a new journey of life where she and they enjoyed 9 memorable years together until her passing.

Agnes is survived by 23 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, 61 gr great's and 2 gr gr gr grandchildren; her sister, Louise (Virnig) Nagel of Stoughton; and many other extended family, relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husbands: Howard E Gray Sr, Joseph W Moran, George K Payne; her sons; Donald O Gray, Robert E Gray, Howard E Gray Jr and Gerald J Gray. Her grandson, Steve J Gray and great grandson Christopher J Bennett. Her parents; Melchoir and Gertrude (Annen) Virnig and her brothers Adrian, Martin, Vincent and Gregory Virnig.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 4913 Schoefield Road, Monona on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 11:00 am with Fr. John Silva presiding. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30 am until the time of Mass. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

A special thank you goes out to St Mary's Adult Day Health Center where she enjoyed 7 years of fun activities and compassionate care. Thank you to the excellent healthcare provided by Dr. Motl and his staff of Dean Clinic. Also thank you to the exceptional care provided by St Jude Hospice staff and helping us get through these last few months. Lastly, all those volunteers who helped out these past two years, you were a godsend.

In lieu of flowers, if any donations are considered it is appreciated they may be made to St Mary's Adult Day Health Center , 2440 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704 or to Immaculate Heart of Mary School Scholarship Fund, 4913 Schoefield Street, Monona, WI 53716.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-249-6666