Virginia Trantow's Obituary
Virginia V. Trantow, of Waupaca, passed away on September 28th, 2005 at Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca. Virginia was born on November 8, 1919, to Leo and Elsa (Prahl) Grancorbitz in New London. After her birth, the family moved to Weyauwega, Marion, Oshkosh, and back to Weyauwega, where Virginia graduated from high school as Valedictorian in 1937. Following graduation, she worked in the Farmers & Merchants Bank, Weyauwega (the only girl). In 1943, she was employed by the Farmers State Bank of Manawa. After her fiance, Wilford J. Trantow, returned from service in the South Pacific, World War II, they were married in St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Weyauwega on January 27, 1946. They started their married life in LaCrosse, WI., where they were blessed with two children, James and Patti. From there to Baraboo, WI., Mission, KS., Indianapolis, IN., Fort Wayne, IN., to Manawa, WI. in 1959. There they were blessed with another son, John, in 1960. They were owners with Frank Trantow in Trantow Hardware, Inc., where Virginia did the office work. In 1980, they sold their stock in the Hardware Store to Frank Trantow and moved to Waupaca. Virginia and her late husband were instrumental in getting their son, James, started in the Mid-Wisconsin Homes business in Waupaca, after James graduated from college. Virginia belonged to the church choirs, starting in high school. In Baraboo, she sang with the Choralette group as a soprano and entertained at various programs. She also taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and served on various church committees. Virginia was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waupaca, the United Methodist Support Group, and attended the Senior Monthly Luncheons at the church. She attended the Waupaca Christian Women's Club and was on the board for two years. Virgina accompanied her late husband on trips sponsored by the Distributors of appliances and microwaves, for which he worked. This included USA, Mexico, Ireland, England, many places in Europe, Canada, and a cruise that stopped at several islands. They also traveled to Hawaii with Wick Home Dealers. Survivors include her children: James W. (Inez) Trantow, grandchildren Ashley (Fiance-Dan Buenning) Trantow, Odessa, FL., and Adam Trantow, Waupaca; Patti A. Trantow (Dr. Stephan Pearson), grandchildren Stephanie (Friend-Ryan Phillips) Trantow-Pearson, San Francisco, CA., and Drew Trantow-Pearson, Morgan Hill, CA.; John W. (Terri) Trantow, Green Bay; sisters Ramona Haight, Manawa and Shirley (Tony) Opperman, Hobesound, FL.; brothers LeRoy (Arleen) and Harold (Velda) Grancorbitz of Oshkosh; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, Leo and Elsa, a brother, Melvin Grancorbitz, a 3 year old sister, DeLores Grancorbitz and a nephew, Larry Grancorbitz. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 7th, at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, Waupaca with Reverend Mike Weigand officiating. Burial will be in the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, King. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 6, from 4 until 7 PM at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca and on Friday, from 12:00 (noon) until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Waupaca, the American Heart Association or the Arthritis Foundation. Virginia's family want to thank the staff members of Bethany Home for their loving care of their mother for the past 2 years.
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