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December 1, 2009

Denis F. Virnig

Denis F. Virnig, age 66, of 3044 Highway 13 N., Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids. The Rev. Al Wierzba will officiate. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery with military rites provided by American Legion Post No. 9 of Wisconsin Rapids.

Friends may call 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and 10:30 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the church. There will be Knights of Columbus, Serra Club and Parish Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Denis was born March 20, 1943, in Medford, to Adrian and Rose (Kellnhofer) Virnig. He graduated from Granton High School in 1961, attended the UW-Madison Short Course in 1962 and the Milwaukee Tech College for air-conditioning/refrigeration, graduating in 1968. Denis married Carole Hilgart on Nov. 5, 1966, in Marshfield. Denis purchased Tri-City Refrigeration in 1974 and presently was still the owner and operator. Denis' legacy will live on as his children continue to operate the business.

Denis, along with his wife, Carole, were the founders of the Marian Center for Peace in Wisconsin Rapids in 1994. He was a third and fourth degree Knight of Columbus, Council No. 1558 of Wisconsin Rapids, was a member of the Equestrian Order, and helped create the Adoration Chapel at the Marian Center for Peace in 2004. Denis also was a member and present president of Serra Club in Wisconsin Rapids. Denis served in the U.S. Army.

Denis is survived by his wife, Carole; three children, Scott (Brenda) Virnig, Sue (Shawn) Lockman and Andrea (Andy) Jensen, all of Wisconsin Rapids; five grandchildren, Randi Lockman, Ashton Virnig, Jordan Tonge, Jacob Jensen and Kasey Jensen; brother, Loren (Cheryl) Virnig of Marshfield, and sister, Kathryn Reigel of Marshfield. Denis is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Denis was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Roman.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be given to the Marian Center for Peace.

"Thank you to the nurses and doctors of ICU and CCU at St. Joseph Hospital for their tender care. Also thanks to doctors of Palliative Care for their compassionate care."