Virginia R. Ness, age 100 of Markesan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Markesan Resident Home.

A memorial gathering for Virginia will take place on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 65 W Catherine St., Markesan from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Jason Jobs officiating. Inurnment will take place at Mackford Cemetery at a later date.

Virginia was born on January 26, 1924 in Waco, TX, the third daughter of Edward and Ola Oetken Schuhmann. Virginia's favorite childhood memories were of her adventures on the ranch of her Aunt Esther, Uncle Billie, and cousins Billie Jr., Roland, and Dorothy Maye Richards in Smithville, TX. Virginia graduated from Waco High School in 1942, and soon after began working at a local shop on Austin Street.

Virginia met the love of her life, Gilman Ness, during a church service at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Waco. Gil was serving in the U.S. Army Air Force, studying radio mechanics at Baylor University. As was customary at the time, members of the church congregation would invite servicemen to have dinner at their homes after Sunday church services. One Sunday, Virginia noticed the kind and handsome young man from Wisconsin, and asked her mother to invite him to their house for dinner. A romance blossomed, and soon Virginia and Gil were married on December 5, 1944.

The newlyweds lived in Madison, WI, and Delray Beach, FL, until Gil was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Force after the end of the war. Gil soon had an opportunity to apprentice as an electrician, which brought them to Markesan, WI, in 1946. Virginia and Gil established Ness Electric in 1952. Virginia managed scheduling, billing, inventory, and accounts payable for their business until their retirement.

Virginia was a very active member of the Markesan community. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where she participated with the Ladies Aid and taught Sunday School. Attending Sunday services and Bible study supported her strong Christian faith. She was a founding member of the Markesan Historical Society, and assisted with the creation of the Grand River Valley Museum. She and Gil also enjoyed their years as members of the Badger Antique Auto Club, driving their 1953 Ford Mainline in countless area parades.

Virginia loved the home she and Gil built just outside of Markesan, "Hickory Hills", where she lived for over 50 years. From her big picture windows, she enjoyed watching the beauty of the changing seasons and the animals that would visit. She kept the birds well fed with her many bird feeders, and could identify the species of each bird. Years ago she enjoyed walking in the nearby woods, and would accompany Gil and her family squirrel hunting. Virginia had a green thumb, which was evident by her many thriving house plants and outdoor garden. Her home was well decorated for every holiday, especially Christmas. She baked dozens of delicious Christmas cookies and candy every year. She made every holiday beautiful and special for her loved ones.

Virginia was known for her great sense of humor and easy laugh. She had a sense of style from head to toe, and was often the best dressed person in the room. She loved to play cards, and enjoyed playing in several card groups over the years. She kept in touch with her friends and family with phone calls and letters, knowing how to make everyone she knew feel well loved.

Her nieces and nephews all thought of her as their favorite aunt. She was excellent at remembering birthdays, and you could count on her birthday phone call and card every year.

Virginia will be remembered for the deep love she had for her family. She had photos of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren prominently displayed in her home. She gave the best hugs, loved to share news and stories, and kept cookies and candy handy for visits. Her love of family included the special friendship she shared with her daughter-in-law Ann's family in Sweden, the Anderos, and their extended family. At 83 years old, she traveled one more time to Sweden to visit the Anderos in 2007. This trip also included a lifelong wish to visit Oberschiebe, Germany, from where her great grandparents emigrated to Texas in 1853.

Virginia is survived by her children Carol Jean Dillie of Markesan, Charles (Tina Bratz) Ness of Bloomington Springs, TN, and David (Theresa) Ness of Kenosha; grandchildren Dan (Penny) Dillie, Tim (Andrea) Dillie, Andy (Lacey) Dillie, Karl (Amie) Ness, Carin (Matt) Keyes, Erica Ness, and Leah Ness; great grandchildren Michael (Savanna Peterson) Dillie, Alexis Dillie, Tristan (Nicole Goedert) Dillie, Gavin Dillie, Desiree Dillie, Kenley Ness, Emersyn Ness, Elise Keyes, and Virginia Keyes; nephew Tim (Bette) Krenzke, niece Roxanne Mueller, and many great-nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Gilman in 2006, her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law Lorena (Martin) Mueller and Ethel (Louis) Krenzke, Gil's parents Nels and Alice Ness, her son-in-law Jerry Dillie, her daughter-in-law Ann Andero-Ness, her nephews Martin Mueller and Donald Mueller, and her nieces Elizabeth Jahnke and Carolyn Neuenkirch.

The family of Virginia wishes to thank the staff of Markesan Resident Home and North Terrace Assisted Living for the excellent care and friendship Virginia received during the last two years.

Virginia had a deep love for animals. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Virginia's honor may be directed to The Green Lake Area Animal Shelter or the charity of your choice.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Markesan is honored to be serving the family.