Virginia A. Breitbach

Virginia Breitbach is now with her Lord and her beloved husband, Raymond. She is singing and praising the Lord with all of the saints and the angels. She accomplished this final and ultimate goal of her life on May 30, 2009.

Virginia Ann Reed Breitbach was born to Virgil and Rowena McFarland Reed on March 3, 1931 in Winthrop, Iowa. She was the youngest sister to Eleanor Reed Yoeman and Maurice Reed. Virginia's middle name should have been “Iowa” since she believed that Iowa was, indeed, a little slice of heaven. She endured much good-natured teasing because of this.

Virginia showed herself to be multi-talented as a child, excelling in academics, basketball, and music. She was Valedictorian of East Buchanan High School in 1949, and she played on the Warriors' basketball team through her high school years, earning a two-year varsity letter. She sang in the school and church choirs and played the piano and the organ, later playing the organ for several churches in the Kaukauna area. After graduation, Virginia decided not to attend college, remaining at home to care for her mother, Rowena. Virginia worked as a bookkeeper for the East Buchanan School District for two years until the death of her mother.

Virginia met Raymond Breitbach at a church event in 1946. It was love at first sight for both of them. Virginia and Raymond were married on December 30, 1951. While Raymond attended the Palmer of College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, Virginia worked to help support the family by working at Frank's Department Store as a bookkeeper and at the Palmer Student Clinic as a receptionist. She also baked fourteen loaves of bread daily to sell at the corner grocery store. During this time, Raymond and Virginia became the parents of three daughters, Marilyn (James Dragosh), Linda (John Erickson), and Marcia (Robert Ryan).

Upon Raymond's graduation from Palmer, Virginia and Raymond moved to Appleton, Wisconsin where Raymond began practice as a chiropractor. The family of five soon moved to Kaukauna where Raymond set up his own practice. Virginia worked as a legal secretary in Appleton, a bookkeeper at Skall's Wonderbar in Little Chute, and served as bookkeeper, billing agent, receptionist, and girl Friday for her husband. She also took care of the house and three little girls, sewing all of their clothes.

When Raymond's practice grew, Virginia was able to stay home to care for the family and the business. She became involved with many community organizations, some for herself, but most for the benefit of her children or her husband. She taught Sunday School, played the organ for the Presbyterian Church in Kimberly and the Methodist Church in Kaukauna, gave piano lessons from her home, was a 4-H leader, belonged to the Fox Valley Symphony Auxiliary, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Auxiliary, the Jaycettes, the Rotary Auxiliary, the Eastern Star, and the local and state Garden Club. She was the treasurer for the Garden Club and she earned several awards for her flower arrangements. She also held officer positions in most of the other groups to which she belonged. Virginia was also involved in many church activities and served on many church committees.

Virginia was never one to sit still, and she used her energy and creativity to design buildings including the family's first house, the Breitbach-Dragosh Chiropractic Clinic, the cottage at Legend Lake, and the condominium development at McFarland Place. She also was an avid gardener, creating a beautiful backyard setting for the weddings of her three girls.

Virginia and Raymond loved to travel and see new things. They traveled in the United States, Canada, and Europe, sometimes for business and sometimes for pleasure. Virginia continued traveling after Raymond's death in 1991, sometimes taking grandchildren along.

In 1992, Virginia established the Fox Valley Ladies, more commonly known as “my widows group.” Virginia found a productive way to deal with her grief at the loss of her husband. Virginia and Raymond had been married for thirty-nine years. The Fox Valley Ladies provided a venue for widows to get together, to share memories, to celebrate birthdays, to travel to points of interest, and to care for one another. The group eventually grew to include more than seventy area women.

Virginia was most proud of her daughters and her grandchildren: Ann Dragosh Newhouse (Jamie), Christopher Dragosh (Trish), Sara Erickson, Brita Erickson, Allison Ryan, and David Ryan. She talked to and saw them all as often as possible. She gave her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren (Emma Newhouse, Kayla Newhouse, and Ava Dragosh) the most precious gifts that she had to give—her time and her love.

Virginia was ready to move on to eternal life in heaven. Raymond had been visiting in dreams and assuring her that he was there and that beauty, peace, and happiness were waiting for her. She was looking forward to again being with her beloved husband.

The funeral service for Virginia will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at PEACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 2300 Wisconsin Avenue in Kaukauna with Rev. Tim Albrecht officiating. Interment will follow in Kelso Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Saturday morning from 11:00 AM until the time of the service.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to St. Paul Elder Services and their Hospice Program for the excellent care they provided.

Fargo Funeral Home
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna 766-6200
Online condolences
www.wichmannfargo.com