Viola A. "Tootie" Filz

Filz, Viola A. “Tootie” (nee Kroll)

Viola A. Filz, age 88, of Appleton died peacefully surrounded by family on November 17, 2011. She is survived by her daughter: Sharon (Marvin) Filz-Strawn; grandchildren: Dana (Steve) Biasi, Cameron Wittig, Kristin (Dean) Luginbill, Danielle (Adam) Cullinane and Luke (Jess) Strawn; great granddaughters: Sophia, Ashleigh and Annabel Biasi; Hannah and Lily Luginbill; and Abigail Cullinane. Vi was also Granny Filz to the entire Peterman Family of the Appleton area, including David and Joe Peterman and Barb (John) Wegner and their boys Samuel, Alex and Ross. The Peterman Family regularly included their Granny Filz in countless holidays, birthdays and other family celebrations. Vi was preceded in death by her husband Fred and her dear aunt Viola (Joe) Williamsen.

Vi was a teacher for her entire working life. She found teaching children with severe learning disabilities most rewarding and was at the head of Little Chute’s first special education class in 1957. When Outagamie County opened Plamann School as a separate facility for children with learning disabilities a few years later, Vi was one of the two original teachers. Vi continued teaching at Plamann until she retired in 1979. She found great joy in teaching children with special needs and taught a Sunday school class for the special needs children at her church, First United Methodist Church of Appleton. Vi kept in touch with many of her “kids” and their families long after they left her school. She also remained lifelong friends with many of the other teachers she worked with throughout her life.

During her two years at Peabody Manor, Vi enjoyed and appreciated the many visits by friends and family. Vi truly enjoyed the staff at Birch Cottage at Peabody Manor and formed many close relationships with her caregivers. The family would like to thank the Peabody Manor staff for their loving and compassionate care of Vi and her family. A special thank you to neighbors Cindy and Tom Dakin, without whom Vi would not have been able to stay in her home as long as she did.

The funeral service for Viola will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 325 E. Franklin Street, Appleton. Dr. Doyle Blanton will be officiating. Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park in Appleton. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 9:30 am until the time of service. Memorials to the American Cancer Society are appreciated.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
(920)739-1231