Forever in their hearts

Virginia Gnat (front row, far left) had her wish of seeing her grandson, Chris Nelson, a Wilmot Union High School graduate (black jacket), play a game Perkins Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on her 85th birthday (Submitted photo).
Virginia Gnat (front row, far left) had her wish of seeing her grandson, Chris Nelson, a Wilmot Union High School graduate (black jacket), play a game Perkins Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on her 85th birthday (Submitted photo).

Late columnist recalled for love of family, seniors club

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Virginia Gnat exemplified selflessness, promoted unity and always put others first, according to her three children.

The late Young at Heart columnist, who passed away Feb. 15 at 85, was deeply involved in the Twin Lakes Senior Citizens Club, and had concern for the group of more than 200 seniors in the organization until she died.

“It was a very important part of her life, from her dying moments, she was concerned about what would happen to the senior club,” her son, Larry, said.

After her husband, Lawrence, died in 1996, Gnat founded the senior organization, and discovered a whole new purpose in life.

Gnat, who wrote 672 columns for the Twin Lakes/Westosha Report, helped convey pertinent information to all of the seniors in the organization and organized trips for them.

However, Gnat’s impact went beyond the scope of a columnist and group organizer, even until her passing.

“On the Sunday before she passed away, she was wide awake,” said Gnat’s daughter, Cheryl Nelson, of Twin Lakes. “All she was worried about was a list of things we had to do for her seniors come Monday.”

Virginia Gnat, former Twin Lakes Report “Young at Heart” senior columnist proudly displays a sweatshirt containing the names of all 12 of her great grandchildren (Photo Submitted).
Virginia Gnat, former Twin Lakes Report “Young at Heart” senior columnist proudly displays a sweatshirt containing the names of all 12 of her great grandchildren (Photo Submitted).

The trips meant everything to Gnat, according to Larry. She voiced concern about who will organize the next big trip.

“She was very concerned about passing that on to the other people, and hoping those trips came off as planned,” Larry said.

Her efforts with the Twin Lakes Senior Club yielded her “The Remarkable Older American” award from the Kenosha County Aging and Disability Resource Center in 2009, which she proudly displayed, according to daughter Jeralyn Gnat.

“She was so excited and proud of it,” Jeralyn said.

Since that award, the family receives annual invites to the awards show, Cheryl said.

In addition to the Twin Lakes Senior Club, Gnat’s children cited her as the chief uniter of all family functions, including holidays and birthday parties.

“She was definitely family-oriented, she always wanted us together for every family occasion.” said Jeralyn.

“She sat in her chair, and made it a point to tell everybody what to do,” “And to make every party go off without a hitch.” Cheryl said.

Additionally, she never failed to call family members – including six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren – on their birthdays to serenade them with a “Happy Birthday” greeting.

Gnat was proud of her entire family, never missing a dance or choir recital, and wanted to make a trip to see her grandson, Chris, play football at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“One of the things she wanted to do, before dying, was she wanted to make it to a football game out in Whitewater,” Cheryl said. “We celebrated her 85th birthday there.”

Gnat made the trip to UW-Whitewater’s Perkins Stadium, and reportedly had a wonderful time, according to her three children.

Jeralyn said Gnat was a fighter of cancer, and in spite of the diagnosis, she continued to move forward and refused to let it keep her from doing the things she loved.

“She battled cancer for 22 years, despite that, she kept going,” Jeralyn said.


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One response to “Forever in their hearts”

  1. Annette Newcomb Avatar
    Annette Newcomb

    I just learned of Virginia’s passing. I was the editor of the Westosha Report during most of her career. I remember the day I first met her. She came into the office on a mission and wanted to know why the seniors weren’t included in the paper. I told her because no one ever told us what was going on. I asked her if she would be interested in writing a column and it really took her back–for about one second. I learned very quickly she was fearless! I told her how to do it and what we would need and I told her to think about it. She called me back in a few hours and I will tell you she never missed a deadline and always called if she thought I didn’t get her copy. The only thing I couldn’t do was cut any of Virginia’s copy. I made that mistake ONCE and she promptly called me on it, mentioned it in the lead of her next column,mentioning me as a culprit and then added what I had cut. From that day on I never cut any of her copy. I really enjoyed working with her and I am sorry I wasn’t aware she had passed. I am sure she is in heaven organizing the seniors and writing a newsletter for the Good Lord.