Virginia Gutknecht, age 97, of Ann Arbor, Michigan passed away on Friday April 19, 2019 at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home in Jackson, Michigan. Born Virginia Frieda Brown on January 3, 1922 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the daughter of Clarence Brown and Anna F. Brown (nee Raddatz). She married Lloyd Raymond Gutknecht on June 15, 1941. He preceded her in death on September 20, 1985. Virginia worked for the city of Ann Arbor in various departments from 1940 until the birth of her daughter in 1957.
For many years, Virginia and Lloyd socialized with their longtime friends John and Edie Hickmont, Charlie Rasch, and Kate and Warren Ross. Charlie and Kate were musicians who were well known in the Ann Arbor area as "Ragtime Charlie and Sister Kate". The friends shared many happy years of Ragtime music and sing-a-longs.
Virginia was interested in traveling and was fortunate enough to be able to take a "Dream Trip" to Europe with her family in the mid 1970's through 10 countries in 7 weeks. The family was able to spend one of those weeks with nephew Roy Gutknecht who was living in Italy at the time. After her husband’s passing she also traveled to China in the mid 1990's with her church group.
Virginia's passion was watercolor painting. She was a talented self-taught painter who then pursued her art further by taking classes at Washtenaw Community College. She was a member of Ann Arbor Women's Painters, having her art displayed in many of the group’s exhibits and shows. Virginia also enjoyed literature and poetry, her favorite poet being Kahlil Gibran.
Virginia's husband, Lloyd, was a teacher in the Ann Arbor Public Schools and she was a proud member of the Faculty Wives.
Virginia was a volunteer for the Washtenaw County Department of Social Services in 1974.
With the support of her daughter, Virginia was able to remain in the home she and her husband built in together 1956 until May of 2018. She then went to reside at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson, Michigan where she was cared for in a beautiful facility by a wonderful staff. She entered Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, Michigan on April 15, 2019, then Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home in Jackson, Michigan on April 18 and remained there until her passing. Throughout this time, she was comfortable and cognizant and was visited by Pastor Roggow and Pastor Neuendorf. On Good Friday afternoon she was visited by church Elder Neil Skov who sang several lovely hymns to her which were of great comfort. Virginia passed peacefully shortly thereafter with her daughter Carol by her side.
In addition to her husband, Virginia was preceded in death by her siblings, Margaret Webber, Ruth Taggart, Haskiel Brown, and Florence Hall.
She is survived by her daughter Carol Lewis Neylon (nee Gutknecht), Carol's significant other, Ed Paulson, grandson Seth G. Lewis and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.
Virginia was lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor where her funeral service will be held Friday, April 26, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:30 until the time of the service. Virginia will be laid to rest next to her husband at Washtenong Memorial Park in a private family service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia's name to Washtenaw Community College Art Program.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.muehligannarbor.com for the Gutknecht family.
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