Virginia E. Johnson

Virginia E. Johnson (Ginny, Mimi), age 95, passed away peacefully on the evening of January 6, 2021 at her home at Brookdale in Appleton.

Ginny was born in Michigan on August 29, 1925, to John and Earlynn May.  She spent her early childhood in the farm community of Horton, where her father farmed and her mother was a school teacher in a one room schoolhouse. She attended Albion College in Michigan for 3 years, then after her 4 children were starting school, completed a degree in speech therapy at Wayne State University and later earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  Ginny was an educator for over 25 years, starting as a speech therapist in the West Bend Schools, then as assistant principal and working with children with special needs and learning disabilities in Gibraltar, Michigan.

Ginny’s 95 year journey was filled with love and compassion for her family and friends, her students and those she met along the way. She had a great spirit of adventure and enthusiasm for life that took her to mountains, rivers, beaches and great cities in most states and many other countries.

When Ginny’s first grandchild was born, she adopted “Mimi” as her name, and as one of her “favorite” grandchildren writes, “to us she was Mimi. She was classy, smart, funny, and loved us with all her heart. We were all her “favorites”… I am sad for the times we will never have again but my heart bursts with memories of adventures and wonderful moments I cherish.”

Ginny is survived by her four children, Tom Gamble (Maria) of Waukesha, Sue Yates (Jim) of Payson, Arizona, Dick Gamble (Kris) of New London, and Scott Gamble (Michele) of Hilo, Hawaii, and by 7 grandchildren, 2 step grandsons, and 8 great grandsons.

The family wants to express our gratitude to the angels who gave her their loving care at Brookdale and Aseracare. We are especially grateful to Bonnie Turner for all the love and caring attention she gave Ginny.

A private memorial service for Ginny will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021, with Rev. Jeff Tengesdal, Senior Pastor of Fist English Lutheran Church officiating.      The service will be available for family and friends by livestreaming at 2 PM by visiting this page at that time.

Gifts in Ginny’s memory may be made to the Fox Valley Humane Association or the church or charitable organization of your choice.