Virginia S Diehl

Virginia (Gini) S. Diehl passed away, at age 89, on September 5, 2025 at Serenity House in Tomah, Wisconsin. Born in York, Pennsylvania, on September 4, 1936, she was the youngest child of Clarence N. and Emma L. Wolf.

Gini was a creative person who loved people, culinary life, reading and art. She cherished her family and friends and adored her grandchildren. She loved her conversations with them as they socialized, crafted, played board games, or built puzzles together. Her easy-going nature, benevolence, unique sense of humor, and strong work ethic defined her.  

As a teenager, she was active in the YWCA and a lead member of their dance team, which took her to the White House where she had tea with First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. She moved to Illinois in 1960 and raised her six children in Naperville; where she was involved in Faculty Wives, the PTA, and Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Gini began her long career in catering and food service in 1964 at Naperville’s Colonial Caterers. She moved to Chicago in 1977 and continued her career at Kenessey Gourmet International, along with owning her own catering business, then as head cook for St. Ignatius Rectory, and finally at McCormick Place where she retired in June 2009. In Chicago, she pursued her philanthropic interests by actively participating in community organizations. She moved to Sparta, Wisconsin in 2018, to be near family.

Gini was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Lois Patka, Dennis (Joe) Wolf, Elisa (Cece) Wolf, and Joan Kendig; and two nephews.

She is survived by her daughter, Beth Ann Guynn; and sons, Kirkland (Margaret), Eric (Susan), Sheldon, Rolf, and Reid Diehl; as well as her beloved grandchildren, Kelsey, Michael, Emily, Kyle, Heather, Christina, Tiffany, Jason, and Kim; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; six nephews; and six nieces.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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