Virginia M. Parkinson

Virginia May Parkinson passed away on March 29, 2013; she lived 89 years. She had many friends at her homes in Waupaca, WI and Port Isabel, TX and they loved her for her sweet nature and indomitable spirit. Virginia had strong moral values: she believed in hard work and lived that ideal. When her children were in middle school, she went back to college and obtained her teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She taught for 20 years in the Milwaukee Public School District and spoke often of her experiences as a teacher in the early days of racial integration of inner-city schools. The austerity of the Depression shaped her life yetshe was generous beyond measure. She put her granddaughters through college and she always knew the price of a dozen eggs. Virginia married Harvey Parkinson, the love of her life, in 1944, when Harvey was a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force. They were married in Platteville, WI while he was on leave. He was her rock. Virginia was a highly skilled bridge player and brought new people to the game she loved. The best players competed to be her partner. Virginia is survived by her children: Gregg of Milwaukee, WI; Philip (Bridget Hagerty) of Rhinelander, WI and Pamela Lysne (Marshall) of Amherst Junction, WI. She is also survived by her grandchildren Melanie Parkinson of St. Paul, MN; Kim Vickberg (Dave) of Bloomington, MN; Jacquelyn Gramentz (Chris) of Minnetonka, MN; Samantha Parkinson of Denver, CO; great-grandson Maxwell Vickberg of Bloomington, MN; sister Belva Anderson of Edgerton, WI; sister-in-law Katie Noyes of Madison, WI; sister-in -law Donna Havens; brother-in-law Norbert (Sam) Parkinson; former daughter- in-law Peggy Orgemann of Rhinelander, WI and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Harvey Parkinson, sister Evelyn Wrobbel and brother Harold Frye. A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 6, 2013 at 11 A.M. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca. Rev. Dr. Charles Tews will officiate, with burial to take place in the summer in the Fayette Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the Holly Funeral Home from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11 A.M. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Virginia M. Parkinson

November 11, 1923 - March 29, 2013