Virginia Savrnoch

Virginia Savrnoch was born Virginia Marie Schantzen in Milwaukee, WI, and moved to Delafield in 1968 with her husband and 3 children. Virginia created a home welcoming to many and could often be seen during the winter months clearing the ice from the channel of Lake Nagawicka, prepping for kids to skate on. She retired from the Delafield-Hartland wastewater treatment facility, where she excelled with her no-nonsense presence and pointed humor and forged lasting friendships.

Virginia’s life changed dramatically with the death of her son Gary, who passed of AIDS in 1990. It was at that point that she, along with her husband Bob, became passionate supporters of those who were suffering from AIDS or living with HIV. Virginia and Bob’s devotion to and compassion for those in the LGBTQ+ community suffering from what at the time was a fatal illness led to them being honorary Grand Marshalls in one of Milwaukee’s Gay Pride parades.

The shining light of Virginia’s later life were her grandchildren in California, known affectionately as her “TAGS” (Totally Awesome Grandkids).

Virginia was preceded in death by her 2 sons, Gary and Greg, and her husband Robert. She is survived by her beloved son John Savrnoch, his fiancé Catherine Remak, grandchildren Joshua and Samantha Savrnoch, sisters Sally Momberg, Marie Ford, Cathy Hejdak, brothers John and Al Schantzen, and numerous nieces and nephews. Virginia was from a large family and loved spending time with her sisters, brothers, nieces (who were among her most frequent companions later in life), and nephews. She leaves behind several other longtime friends and a legacy of always rooting for the underdog.

The family asks that those who feel inclined may honor her with a donation to Bridging(@ bridging.org), a charity that Virginia was introduced to by her sister Marie that Virginia truly believed in.

Celebration of Life services are being planned.