Virginia Marie Muthig (Arts)

Born July 11, 1927 Green Bay, WI. Died January 19, 2013 after a brief illness.
Mother: Pearl Smerelda Arts (Marcouiller), born 1889 Menominee, MI.
Father: George Cornelius Arts, born 1890 Marinette, WI. Enlisted U.S. Army 1917, wounded in WWI action at Fismes, France August 1918, married Pearl 1921, died December 1928.

Virginia is survived by her children: Nancy Johnson, Kaukauna; Mark (Mary), Appleton; and Michael, Kimberly; and 2 grandchildren: Christine and Cynthia; and brother-in-law, James Stein. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Virginia grew up with her mother and maternal grandparents, Odelon and Felestie Marcouiller, French-Canadian immigrants who kept a general store in Allouez, WI just outside Green Bay. Virginia loved to sing in choirs and had a beautiful voice. She graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1946 and enrolled in St. Marys Hospital Nursing School, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1949. About that time Mrs. Luedtke, Head Nurse at Thilmany Pulp & Paper Co. in Kaukauna contacted the school looking for industrial nurses. Virginia was recommended, interviewed, hired and moved to Kaukauna and began her nursing practice. She joined Holy Cross Catholic Church, became a lifelong member of the Altar Society and met the love of her life, Francis (Frank) Joseph Muthig in the youth (CYO) group. Frank was born in Kaukauna and also worked at Thilmany.

Frank and Virginia were married September 15, 1951 at Holy Cross, Kaukauna and lit out in his '46 Plymouth for a honeymoon trip through Upper Michigan and Canada to Niagara Falls. They built a life together, including building a house in 1953 that they mostly did themselves with relatives and friends, and welcomed Virginia's mother Pearl into their home. Virginia took some time off from nursing to raise the children and resumed her career when the youngest began school. Virginia served at several Fox Valley nursing homes and concluded her career at Kaukauna Community Hospital in the 1980's, delivering babies with Dr.'s Simon and Alan Cherkasky.
Virginia loved to play cards. She enjoyed her weekly bridge club plus penny ante poker with her sisters-in-law for many years. She was a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan, especially of the Vince Lombardi/Bart Starr era, but always loved her Packer games. She enjoyed many reunions with friends from Green Bay West and St. Mary's Nursing School and time with friends and relatives near and far. Frank retired in 1985 and they enjoyed dining out, church activities, visiting, and just spending time with each other. In 2001 they sold their second house in Kaukauna and moved to Hallmark Place Apartments in Kimberly, WI in time for their fiftieth anniversary. Virginia and Frank really enjoyed the lifestyle there; Virginia sang in the Hallmark choir and Frank was crowned King of the "Senior Prom" one year. Frank passed away October 3, 2009 after a brief illness. Virginia grieved and greatly missed her best friend after 58 years of marriage, but life continued with faith, family and friends - and Hallmark Place Bridge Monday at one o'clock, and the changing of the seasonal holiday decorations.

Visitation will be held Wednesday January 23, 2013 at ST. KATHARINE DREXEL PARISH – ST. MARY CHURCH (119 W. 7th St. Kaukauna) beginning at 1:00 p.m. until time of Mass at 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Jerry Pastors will officiate. Committal Holy Cross Cemetery. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com. A memorial is being established.

Special heartfelt thanks go out from the family of Virginia to Fr. Jerry Pastors, Dr. Alan Cherkasky and the amazing wonderful people of St. Paul Elder Services Nursing Home, where Virginia spent her last days sleeping in peace and comfort with her family at her side. Everyone involved in her care showed such love and respect for Virginia the family is overwhelmed with gratitude for their kindness.

The family also wishes to thank the people of Hallmark Place Apartments, which provided a wonderful home with many friends nearby and things they liked to do for Virginia and Frank for many years.