Virginia "Ginny" Bruch

Virginia Mae “Ginny” Bruch, age 91, formerly of Richford and Oshkosh, passed away Monday, May 12, 2025 at Prairie Place in Ripon.

She was born October 12, 1933 in the Town of Dakota, Waushara County to Mildred Rapaich and was adopted by Arthur and Emma Passarelli and felt very blessed to have two wonderful loving families. Her thanks and love to her brothers, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins and all who graciously accepted her in their family. 

Ginny married Donald Bruch on October 9, 1952. He preceded her in death in 1987 after 35 years of marriage.

Ginny loved to cook, read, garden, do cryptograms, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, fish, go camping with her daughter Carrie. They used to sit many a weekend watching the world go by; smoking, drinking vodka gimlets, feeding birds& watching for deer. She was also an avid Packer, Brewers and Bucks fan. She shares her one yellow & one green pair of packer socks with granddaughter Kelli Jo. Her son Rick  purchased many sets of brewer tickets whereas mom could bring along friends to the games and be on TV. She loved going to those games.

She loved watching Jeopardy. Don't call mom at 6pm when Jeopardy is on unless it's an emergency because she isn't answering the phone!!

Ginny attended the one room schoolhouse in Dakots until the 5th grade, then Blader school & finally graduating from Wautoma HS in 1950. During that time, both her adopted parents passed away & she resided with her mom & step dad George Semrow in Richford. 

After HS, she attended Oshkosh Business College and was employed by Northwestern Mutual Ins Company.  

She married Don Bruch in 1952 and had 3 children; Rick, Mick, & Carrie.  Their family moved from Richford to Oshkosh in 1969 where she worked for 26 yrs at UWOshkosh. Of course we thought she would take life slower and relax,  however that never happened! She became an adult foster person, drove school bus for both Oshkosh & Wautoma and then went full time at 4Imprint. She supplied them with fudge, holiday snacks & treats... lots of treats.  They loved her and she kept in touch with many from 4Imprint. Did i mention she brought a lot of treats!

She is survived by two children: Rick (Jessica) Bruch, Appleton and Carrie (Greg) Wagner, Ripon; grandchildren: Kelli Jo (Eric) Vander Wielen, Joel (Nicole) Bruch, Dion (Nikki) Schultz, Bryant Schultz, Isaac (Makayla) Schultz, Marissa (Danny) Kasuboski and Brianne Paige; great grandchildren: Ella, Karter, Makayla, Hannah, Hazel, Henry, Layla, Tessa Mae, Olivia( who is grammas twin-just look at their photos) Raelynn, Eli, Atlas; one sister, Marlene (John) Sutphen, Lowell, Indiana; one brother, Richard (Susan) Semrow, Coloma; sister-in-law, Rhoda Bruch, New Berlin. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. 

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Michael James Bruch (1979) her brother and sister-in-law Robert and Barbara Semrow; and her dearest friends Pat Penzenstadler & Mary Mueller. At 91 she saw many others precede her. 

Rick & I were blessed to have been with mom the day of her passing as well as her friend Carol. There was so much love to go around that morning. We were blessed to have a momma that cooked like she could, cleaned, and attended all of our events and our kids events. She prayed everyday for her "little Marine" to make it through boot camp and come home from Al Asad. She shared her love with all of us. Her granddaughter is now the owner of her bug. Watch out world!! Mom, I can only wonder who your angels were that morning you left us, but I know you had many, just as you touched so many people's hearts. And we now know the party has started and you're cooking up a storm. Here is just a final thought.....And remember this moto to live by: life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways with the bug, fudge in one hand, gimlet in the other. Body thoroughly used up, worn out, and screaming, " whoo hoo what a ride".  Mission accomplished mom!! Love you. And a final "whatever". 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Richford Community Center, W11127 Cumberland Ave. Coloma, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Blaine O. Niskanen will be officiating and burial will follow at Richford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established for Compassus Hospice and Oshkosh Humane Society. 

Our family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to Compassus Hospice and Prairie Place for their kind hearts and assistance. We, I. Couldn't have made this journey without all of your care and love you gave to our momma. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Carrie and Rick