Virginia Siemers

MADISON/MANITOWOC - VIRGINIA HERRLING SIEMERS, age 92 died on December 12, 2011 at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital, Horizon Hospice Center in Mequon. She was born on May 14, 1919, the daughter of Roy and Emma (Dahnke) Herrling of Madison. Virginia was a Madisonian to the core, a woman of humor. She loved telling stories of her Madison childhood and seldom a conversation passed without the sound of her easy laughter.

Virginia's parents owned and operated a residential student house during the years of The Great Depression. Named, The Cardinal House, her childhood home was registered with the University as approved housing for young men. At the same time her father was a fireman, eventually becoming Captain of Firehouse #4. This led to a colorful childhood. Virginia was a life-long member of Grace Episcopal Church. As a child, she was presented with a cross on a necklace, in front of the congregation, to commemorate seven years of perfect Sunday school attendance. She met her husband, Edward W. Siemers, a student at UW where both attended. They married at Grace Episcopal Church in 1939 in a candlelight service. The young couple settled in Manitowoc for 15 years. Two children were born to the marriage, Sylvia and Charles. Following WWII, Virginia worked alongside Edward in their appliance store, Siemers Refrigeration and Appliance, Inc. In 1958 the family returned to Madison where Virginia took an active role in the management of their three apartment buildings over a 40-year period. She was an associate at Manchester's and a teller at Hilldale State Bank.

Virginia had many interests. She and Ed enjoyed the north woods, spending many summers at their lakeshore home in the Boulder Junction/Presque Isle area. Virginia also enjoyed painting. She took numerous watercolor workshops at Dillman's Sand Lake Lodge, Lac du Flambeau, studying under Nita Engles, as well as others. She traveled to Lake Como, Italy and other areas of northern Italy with her fellow water-colorists. Her home is filled with her many lovely paintings. Virginia also pursued her art during the many winters she and Ed spent at Green Valley, Arizona. She served 4 years as treasurer of the Episcopal Church of Women of Grace Church and often helped out at church sponsored estate sales. She loved to cook, calling her kitchen her "chemistry lab". Five or more of the most recent cookbooks, usually health-related, could always be found her kitchen, and each was well used. Throughout her life, Virginia had a little dog and was deeply attached and passionate about each. Virginia and Ed celebrated their 65th anniversary at Ishnala on Mirror Lake (The Dells); at Voss' Birch Lake Lodge (Minocqua); and at Grace Episcopal Church.

Virginia will be missed by all those who were touched by her vibrant personality, her zest for life, her humor, and her love. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, in 2005 and two brothers, Stanley and William Herrling. She is survived by her daughter, Sylvia (Paul) Schaub, her son, Charles (Margaret) Siemers; two grandsons: Luke (Tammy) Schaub and Shane Siemers; three granddaughters: Becky (Kyle) Fortney, Sandra (Ralph) Peterson, and Heather (Gilles) Youinou; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great granddaughter; her beloved Maltese dog, Honi; nephews and nieces.

A funeral service will be held on December 16, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Cress Funeral Home 3610 Speedway Road, with Father Jonathon Greiser of Grace Episcopal Church officiating. . Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. A visitation will take place from 1:00 pm until the time of service

Heartfelt gratitude to Agrace HospiceCare, Madison, Cedar Community Hospice, West Bend and Horizon Hospice, Mequon. Memorials may be directed to Grace Episcopal Church, Madison or to The Seeing Eye Inc., PO Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963 (for training of dog guides for the blind).