Virginia “Joni” Gschwind passed away peacefully on October 29th, 2020. Joni was born in Flint, MI to Milt and Janet Stratton on November 8, 1939. Joni was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Ed. Joni was known for her love of family and family history. Of her many hobbies, genealogy research and being an active member in the Daughters of the American Revolution were near and dear to her. Joni was passionate about her cross stitching and needlepoint. She was active in the Embroiderers Guild of America, Fox Valley Chapter (Appleton, WI) as well as the chapter in The Villages, FL. For many years, Joni was also a very active volunteer with the St. Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary, in Appleton. She & Ed loved spending time with friends and family, hosting big Thanksgivings, traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner, and Christmas open houses. Joni was a terrific cook. Joni and Ed were also avid pleasure boaters. Cruising the lakes of Northeast Central Wisconsin, the bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan with friends and family was pure heaven for her. Enjoying an old fashion & hors d’ oeuvres on the back deck of the “Pair a Dice” during those beautiful Door County, WI summers is what she lived for.
Joni will be deeply missed by friends, but the lives of her family, who without her, will never be the same. Joni is survived by her two sisters, Becky Miller (Chuck Metz) & Cathy Johnson (Bill). She is also survived by her son Bill Gschwind (Jeanne) of Lino Lakes, MN; daughter Teri Regan (Craig) of Acworth, GA; son Jeff Gschwind (Sheri) of Richmond, VA; 4 Granddaughters Maddi Hall (Andrew), Kelsianne Regan, Jeana Gschwind, & Abby Gschwind; 3 Grandsons Michael Gschwind (Jodi), Matthew Gschwind, & Tommy Gschwind (Kali); and 6 Great Grandchildren Nolan, Brody, Nolan, Sienna, Brynlee, & Carter.
Joni will be laid to rest next to the love of her life, Ed, in Riverside Cemetery in Appleton, WI. Services will take place in Appleton, WI in the Spring of 2021.
As many friends and family knew, Joni and Ed, together, fought a very aggressive type of prostate cancer that Ed was diagnosed with. Although he lost his battle in April of 2003, Joni was forever grateful for how well the Doctors and Nurses at the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center cared for Ed and the compassion that they showed them both as they tried to save him. In lieu of flowers, it would be an honor to Joni to please make any contributions in her name to the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center. https://www.uwhealth.org/it-starts-with-you/memorial-gifts/41061
