On May 9,1934 near the small train depo village of Tioga, Wisconsin, Virginia Mae (Stremikis) Gilbertson was born to August and Mary (Bergant) Stremikis. She spent her early years alongside her sister, Jeanette, on a small farmstead with Guernsey cows, pigs, chickens, and horses. Times were tough and life was a challenge, but Virginia saw many exciting changes in the world as she grew up, including rural electrification, better farm and milking equipment, indoor plumbing, and school buses. Virginia found lifelong enjoyment in art, music, and caring for animals.

Virginia spent her high school years involved with forensics, playing saxophone in the marching band, and polka and square dancing on many weekends. She graduated from Fairchild High School and then the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Rural Teachers College. For two years after college, she taught eight grades at the one room Blackberry School in rural Clark County, riding her horse to the schoolhouse about three miles away from her home.

On New Year's Eve 1955, at a ballroom dance at the Silver Dome in Neillsville, Wisconsin Virginia met Vernon Gilbertson. They married six months later, on June 23, 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church in Nasonville/Marshfield, Wisconsin. Together they built a farm and a family along Highway 10, raising their seven children: Larry (Diane) Gilbertson, Elaine Speigel, Linda (Rusty) Debroux, Carol (Randy) Krause, Carla (Jon) Grabanski, George (Jill) Gilbertson, and James (Linda) Gilbertson. For more than six decades Virginia and Vernon lived together on the farm, until Virginia lost Vernon in March 2025 and she moved from the farm to Wells Assisted Living in Marshfield.

Virginia found joy in visiting with family and friends. Later in life, with 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, it was holiday family gatherings that would fill her heart and their basement. There was always a good meal, good conversation, and a lot of laughs. Virginia also cherished many visits over the years from the members of her beloved church family.

Virginia and Vernon were active members of Grace Lutheran throughout their married life, where Virginia loved singing traditional worship hymns during church services. In her younger years she helped with the church financial records, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and helped prepare and serve many church meals. In later years, she enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and good conversation after worship with the treasured friends she made there.

Virginia (Ginny Mae)’s story came to an end on January 3, 2026, but she has left a legacy of memories, guidance, and an example of living a full life that will be treasured by all those who knew her. Virginia is preceded in death by her parents Mary and August, husband Vernon, and only sibling, a sister, Jeanette Berg.

Blessed be the memory of Virginia Mae Stremikis Gilbertson.

There will be a funeral service at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Grace Lutheran Church in Nasonville, with the Pastor Tim Hinrichs officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until the time of service at the church.

The honor of pallbearers belongs to her grandsons: Joseph Gilbertson, Zachary Gilbertson, Adam DeBroux, Ben Krause, David Spiegel, Jordan Grabanski, Elijah Grabanski, and Josiah Grabanski.

Virginia's arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share memories and offer condolences.