Virginia W. Kaftanski, age 84 of Beaver Dam, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at Beaver Dam Community Hospital.

Virginia was born on April 27, 1924 in the township of Randolph to Fred and Margaret (nee Campbell) Heidt. She graduated from Pinewood Country School in 1938 and Randolph High School in 1941. She received a degree in Elementary Education from Oshkosh State Teacher's College in 1944 and taught 3-6th grade in Fox Lake. She was united in marriage in 1946 to Sergeant Alvin Paul Kaftanski from the 522nd Army Air Corp Band at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Randolph.
After retiring from teaching, she devoted her life to raising her children. Virginia enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reading, traveling and baking. She volunteered at St. Michael's Parish School while her children were growing up, was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Parish, Mother's Club, Rosary, Cub Scout den mother and currently a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish. She was honored this year for her 60 years of membership of Daughters of Isabella. Among her fondest memories was traveling to Krakow, Poland and attended Mass at the church where Pope John Paul II was Archbishop.

Virginia will be fondly remembered and missed by her family. She is survived by three sons and a daughter: Jan Paul (Kathy) Kaftanski of Beaver Dam, Jeffry (Sue) Kaftanski of Neenah, James Kaftanski and Victoria (Ronald) Sukowski both of Beaver Dam; five grandchildren, Jesse (Robyn) Kaftanski of Madison, Andrea Sukowski of Madison, Paul Sukowski of Beaver Dam, Alexandria Kaftanski of Beaver Dam and Lance (Jennie) Athearn of Beaver Dam; three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Essy Jo and Jaden Rayne. She is also survived by her sister Elenore "Peg" Kaftanski of Sheboygan and a brother, Hugh Heidt of Cambria along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Alvin in 1980, a brother Bud Heidt, a sister Eileen Gergen, sister-in-law, Loraine Heidt, brother-in-laws, Henry Gergen and Hubert Kaftanski and an infant granddaughter, Hope Kaftanski.

A Memorial Service for Virginia will take place on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd. in Beaver Dam. A Memorial Gathering will also be held at the funeral home on Friday from 12:00 p.m. (NOON) until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. Inurnment will take place at a later date at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Beaver Dam.

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