Virginia M. Severt, age 90, of Merrill, passed away peacefully at the home of her son, Bruce (Carol) Severt, on Friday, October 30, 2015 with loving family by her side.
Virginia was born January 11, 1925, in Glandon, Wisconsin, to the late Oscar and Lucinda (Kroeplin) Osness, Sr. The family resided on the family farm in Barnes Creek (Norwegian Road) near Merrill. After graduating from Merrill High School, Virginia was the secretary at the former Ward Paper Mill, Merrill. On September 23, 1944, she married Matt Severt, the boy from the farm next door. Dairy farming soon became Matt and Virginia’s occupation and a great place to raise their children, Sheryl, Gary, Bruce, Steven and James. In 1951, they established their own family farm in the Town of Pine River on County Road G.
Virginia’s faith was always very important and they brought up their children to love the Lord. She was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill. Virginia’s main focus was always around the family. She was active in the school’s P.T.O., and involved in all the 4-H Club’s activities and projects her children were involved in. Having family Christmas gathering with her parents, sibling and their children was always a highlight with happy memories.
The focus and love for the family only grew bigger with having eighteen grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren. There were birthday parties, kite days, trips to Crystal Lake, Easter egg hunts, Christmas and many more memories to last a lifetime for all the children young and old.
Matt and Virginia enjoyed playing cards and bowling. Retirement found them relaxing in their camper at Crystal Lake during summer months. After being married forty-nine years, Matt passed away October 23, 1993. Virginia moved back to Norwegian Road and lived there for twenty-one years. She enjoyed time with the families of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her sisters and brothers.
Virginia is survived by her daughter, Sheryl (Tom) Knospe; her sons, Gary (Sandy) Severt and Bruce (Carol) Severt; and her daughters-in-law, Karen Severt (wife of Steven) and Denise Severt (wife of Jim). She is further survived by seventeen grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren: Sue (Daren) Catlin – Tyler and Michael; Kathy (John) Koehler – Andy, Kaitlin and Kristine; Dave (Shelley) Knospe – Arwen and Treg; Jon (Aimee) Knospe – Logan and Landon; Matthew Severt; Amy Severt; Scott (Paulette) Severt – Cole and Sierra; Connie (Dave) Schwandt – Kaden and Jake; Brian (Michelle) Severt; Jenny (Derry) Thorson – Brandon and Brielle; Jesse (Karli) Severt – Jalie, Jazlin and Jillian; Corie (Troy) Madden – Mikayla; Holly Hooyman – Porter and Josslyn; Luke (Trisha) Severt; Jamie (Jim) Johnson – Grace and Samuel; Tricia (Alex) Crockford – Sarah, Leah, James, Bethany and Aaron; and Jered Severt – Ashton and Lincoln. She is also survived by her siblings, Betty Latzig, Raymond (Darlene) Osness, Elayne (Richard) Ollmann, Phyllis (Ralph) Buch and Janet Beyer-Thums; her sisters-in-law, Carol Osness (wife of Dale), Faye Jean Osness (wife of David) and Carol Osness (wife of Allen, Sr.); and many nieces and nephews.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Matt; sons, Steve and Jim; granddaughter, Sarah Marie Severt; parents, Oscar and Lucinda, Osness, Sr.; sister, Linda Osness; brothers, Harry (Betty) Osness, Ervin ‘Jack’ Osness, Oscar (Merrill) Osness, Jr., Dale Osness, Allen Osness, Sr. and David Osness; and brother-in-law, Walter Latzig.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Bible Presbyterian Church, Merrill. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday and after 9:00 A.M. Wednesday, all at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com