Virginia L Barnes

June 9, 1927 - December 5, 2014

Virginia L. Barnes Virginia L. Barnes, age 87, of Stevens Point, formerly of Menomonie and Racine, WI, passed away Friday, December 5, 2014, at home under Hospice care. The former Virginia Prothero was born June 9, 1927, in Ashland, WI to John and Lucille Prothero. She married Duane Barnes on September 12, 1946. They were blessed with three daughters. She was a special wife and a wonderful mother. She enjoyed baking, cooking, and sewing. She was a beautiful quilter and made quilts for each daughter and many to give to others. She loved being a homemaker and caring for her husband, her children and her beautiful flower gardens. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. ‘Gin’ worked for ten years at Color Arts in Racine where they lived for over thirty years. Duane and Gin built a home in the rolling hills of Menomonie where they enjoyed years of retirement. They were often found planting ‘picture-like’ gardens, creating new landscaping and planting hundreds of trees of all kinds. Gin loved watching the wide variety of birds and all of God’s creatures in their wooded surroundings. They moved to Steven Point, WI, in the fall of 2003 to be closer to their daughters. Virginia is survived by her husband, Duane; her daughters, Sharon (Wallace) Gehring of Montello, WI, Lynda (Jack) Overgaard of Mosinee WI, Gayla (John) Caretta of Racine WI; grandchildren, John, Jennifer, Ryan (Carrie), Angel (David), and Holly (Andy); great-grandchildren, Amanda and Joe Gehring, and Porter Overgaard; beloved sister Joyce Prochnow, sister-in-laws; Janet Wendt, Mildred Barnes, Charlotte Prothero, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lucille Prothero, brother Ed Prothero, and granddaughter Abby Caretta. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, with Pastor Remy Diederich officiating. There will be visitation at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Halvorson Cemetery in Menomonie. A special thanks to the wonderful Hospice and HomeInstead caregivers; Patty, Terri, Mary, Colleen and Sue.