Virginia Niesing

Virginia V. Niesing of Port Washington died Saturday, Feb. 16, as the result of a car crash in the Town of Grafton.

Mrs. Niesing, known as Ginny, was born in Marinette on Feb. 17, 1944, to Alex Sr. and Bea Champeau Johnson. She grew up in Menominee, Mich., and graduated from Menominee High School in 1962.  

She attended nursing school in Marquette, Mich., on a scholarship that she was awarded based on an essay describing why she wanted to be a nurse.

She met Robert Niesing on a blind date  in Milwaukee that was set up by a friend. They married on Sept. 19, 1964, at Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Milwaukee.

The couple settled in Milwaukee and Mrs. Niesing worked as a licensed practical nurse at Northwest General Hospital in Milwaukee.

The family moved to Port Washington in 1979 and she began working at Heritage Nursing Home. She later worked as a hospice nurse before retiring in 2008.  

Mr. Niesing preceded her in death in 2015.

Mrs. Niesing was a member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church in Port Washington. She enjoyed crocheting, reading and photography. She liked to cheer up others by sending them greeting cards.

She also liked painting, drawing and sketching.

She is survived by her children Laura (Kenneth) Markley of Beloit and Michael (Sharon) of Grafton; grandchildren Molly and Luke Markley, Braden Shafer. and Sydney Shafer; sister Beverly Case; brothers Alex Jr., Bruce (Cindy), Quentin and Roman “John” Johnson, all of Michigan.

 She was preceded in death by her husband, sister Aurilla “Nikki” Bugenhagen and sister-in-law Kathy Niesing.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, at Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington.  

The Rev. Janet Hartzell will preside.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 3 at the funeral home. A nurses honor guard ceremony will precede the service.

Burial will be the following day in Union Cemetery in Port Washington.

Memorials to the Ozaukee Humane Society are suggested.