Virginia Ruth Randolph

Virginia Ruth Randolph, née Schneider, age 93 of Rhinelander, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024 at the wonderful and scenic Seasons of Life hospice care facility in Woodruff.

Virginia has sewn her last quilt, played her last games of Scrabble and Ruby’s Zion Czech, read her last mystery thriller, put together her last puzzle, watched her last episode of M*A*S*H, baked her last mincemeat pie and frosted her final sugar cookie.

Virginia was born October 12, 1930 in Austin, Minn. She was the only child of Margie and Ed Schneider, who preceded her in death. Later in the 1930s they moved to Hillsboro, Wis. with their dog Snooky to be closer to extended family. Virginia graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1949 in a class of just 57 students. She regularly attended class reunions that were held, including her 70th in 2019. She loved seeing those friends she grew up with, including Arlene and Bill.

In 1952, Virginia was working at the Hillsboro Dairy Bar on Water Avenue. She was particularly good at making ice cream treats. One day, these two young men came into the shop. One of them in particular grabbed her full attention. This tall, strapping young man ordered a banana split. By rote, Virginia began to prepare this confection which she had made countless times before. She added the vanilla, chocolate and strawberry scoops of ice cream, drizzled on cherry, chocolate and pineapple syrups, chopped peanuts, whipped cream and put a cherry on top of each scoop. She proudly presented this creation to the young man where upon he asked “what about the banana?” Virginia was a little flustered as she did indeed forget the main ingredient! Needless to say that young man came back often. That young man was Donald Harold Randolph, who preceeded her in death in 2018, of Elroy. Don was working in Hillsboro at Ernie Knadle’s Service Station after his service as a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Don’s nickname was “Windy” so he had no problem asking her out. Don’s nickname for Virginia was “Gus” by the way.

On December 5, 1953 Virginia and Don were married at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran church in Hillsboro. The wedding party included the maid of honor Jeanene Greeley; bridesmaid Maria Greeley; best man David Randolph; groomsman Morlon Sebranek and ushers Charles Schneider and Charles Subera. The Reverend Elmer A. Mahnke officiated.

Soon, Virginia and Don moved to Waupun, where Don began his career with the State of Wisconsin. There they made life-long friendships with many families, including the Vant Hoffs, Vomastics and Parkers. Then on January 12, 1964 their son, John, was born.

In 1969, the little family moved to Wausau. At the church they attended (Pilgrim Lutheran church), they were in need of a new church secretary. Virginia applied and Pastor Hendrickson hired her immediately. She served in that capacity until the family moved once more to Rhinelander in 1978. They enjoyed camping and/or going to resorts in Northern Wisconsin, going to the Marathon County Fair, spending time at the YMCA and playing a lot of card and board games together.

Once in Rhinelander, Virginia again applied at our church (Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church) to be the church secretary and Pastor Check hired her as well. Virginia and Don both retired in 1993 and enjoyed over 25 years after that traveling around the U.S. and Canada. Favorite destinations included Branson, Mo.; Eastern Canada; Lake Havasu City, Ariz. and Bradenton, Fla.

One of her proudest accomplishments touched the souls of many people around the world. Virginia was a quilter with “The Cover Girls” at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church. She sewed over 5,400 tops that were then sewn into finished quilts. Each fall, they would ship those quilts to destinations around the world to those in need.

As a grandmother, her culinary talents really took off! Her grandchildren Emma, Zach and Grace loved summer trips to Rhinelander, which included baking sugar cookies with some of the frosting actually making it onto the cookies, playing cards and board games into the night and trips to various resorts. We even took one trip with grandma and grandpa down to Branson, Mo. that was very memorable. The grandkids always enjoyed grandma’s homemade applesauce made from the apple trees right in their yard.

Virginia was seen as many things by different people: mentor, role-model of positive, Christian faith and a forward-thinker. One thing that all agreed upon though was her uplifting personality. She always had an infectious smile, loved to laugh and greeted every single day with charity toward others. Always more concerned about those around her, she was an outstanding example of how to be a Christian. Of course, she was just known as wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister-in-law, etc… to us.

Virginia is survived by her son, John Randolph of Savage, Minn.; three grandchildren: Emma (Peter Ryan), Zachary (Sapphire) with their daughter & Virginia’s one great-grandchild (Jade), and Grace, all of whom are in the Twin Cities; two sets of in-laws: David (Klee) Randolph of Beaver Dam and James (Joan) Randolph of Oconomowoc; as well as many other extended family and friends.

The memorial service for Virginia will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church in Rhinelander with Pastor Tim Vadis officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church followed by a luncheon, also at the church. 

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Hillsboro.

You may leave your private condolences for the Randolph family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) of Rhinelander is assisting the family.