Virginia Brandsma

CAMBRIA - Virginia Brandsma, 75, lost her brief battle with cancer Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at Columbia Health Care Center, surrounded by her family.

Virginia was born in July 1934 in Cambria, the only child of the late Harry and Hazel Bradley Breneman. She graduated from Pardeeville High School, where she met the love of her life, Ed Brandsma. They were united in marriage Oct. 24, 1953, at North Scott Baptist Church and would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

Virginia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who took great pride in her children's, grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's accomplishments. She always made it a priority to attend their many activities. Her devotion and love for her family was unwavering throughout her life. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, close friends and dear cousins. She was known as a vibrant conversationalist who enjoyed many warm friendships.

As a lifelong member of North Scott Baptist Church of rural Pardeeville, Virginia enjoyed serving as soloist and choir member for more than 60 years. She also devoted her time as a Sunday school teacher, clerk, and junior and senior choir director as well as on various committees. She also worked as a substitute rural mail carrier for the Cambria post office for five years and served on the board of Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative. Her leadership and organizational skills were admired by many. In her spare time, she enjoyed keeping up on the latest technology, traveling, scrapbooking, genealogy and making cut-out cookies with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Honored to have known her and loved her, she will be greatly missed by her husband of 56 years, Ed; daughter, Marcia (Nels) Moe of Stoughton; three sons, Bradley Brandsma of Baraboo, Tim (Sara) Brandsma of Cambria and Scott (Jan Oliver) Brandsma of Portage; nine grandchildren, Nathan Moe, Jason, Joshua and Jessica Brandsma, Rebecca, Joseph and Steven Brandsma, and Talon and Cameron Brandsma; and eight great-grandchildren, Kaylin, Colton, Alana and Asher Brandsma, McKenzie and Riley Brandsma, and Paige and Tyler Brandsma. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Hazel Breneman.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at North Scott Baptist Church in rural Pardeeville, with the Rev. Thomas Grey officiating. Burial will follow in Marcellon Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Smith Funeral Home in Pardeeville, and Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of service at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Virginia to North Scott Baptist Church Music Department or Kitchen Remodel Project.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Columbia Health Care Center for their personal attention, love and care given to Virginia and her family.