Virginia A. Knodle

 Virginia A. (Metcalfe) Knodle, age 67, of Madison, formerly of Bloomington, died on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at University Hospitals in Madison of heart failure. She was born June 21, 1942, in Lancaster and grew up in Bloomington. Her parents were Robert and Mary Metcalfe. Ginny graduated from Bloomington High School and attended UW-Whitewater, where she met her future husband, Dale Knodle of Rockford, IL. They were married for nearly 25 years before being divorced in 1985. For the last 20 years, Ginny lived in Madison.

Surviving her are her mother, Mary Metcalfe of Bloomington; children: Erik (Wendy) of Rockton, IL, and Kelli Hanson of Waterloo, WI; three granddaughters, Mackenzie Dauber of Oregon, WI, and Sydney and Emily Knodle of Rockton, IL; a sister, Kathy (Steve) Derene of Madison; and a brother, Tom (Peggy) Metcalfe of Eau Claire. Nieces and nephews include Jennifer Metcalfe of Butternut, Michael Derene of Madison, Nick Derene, of Gardener, MT, and Casey and Carly Metcalfe of Eau Claire.

Ginny was known for her love of people and her great desire to help out where she could. When she lived in Belvidere, IL, she taught preschoolers for nearly 10 years and also worked with people with disabilities. In addition to energetically rooting for her beloved Chicago Cubs and the Bears, she enjoyed shopping for clothes and showing off her family photos. Ginny was loved by everyone who knew her, including her friends at St. Marys Adult Day Center in Madison, especially Jodie Brown; her neighbors at Wexford Ridge; and the staff of Legacy Gardens assisted living, who were just getting to know her when she became ill and died.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington with Father Bart Timmerman officiating. Burial was in St. Marys Cemetery, Bloomington. Friends called on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. Donations may be made in Ginnys name to St. Marys Adult Day Center, 2440 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704.