Virginia A. Bauer Gansemer, 85, of Mendota and Mesa, AZ passed away on March 18, 2019, at the Good Shepherd Assisted Living LLC Home in Mesa with close family by her side.

Funeral services will be Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the Merritt Funeral Home. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service.

Virginia was born on January 4, 1934, in Putnam County to Chauncey and Elsie (Johnson) Naumann.   She married Norman Bauer on December 31, 1953. He died in April 1985. She later married Richard Gansemer on October 17, 1987.

Her parents, an infant son, her brother, Gary Naumann, and a stepdaughter, Tracy Gansemer, preceded Virginia in death.

Surviving along with her husband, Richard, is a son, Timothy (Maureen) Bauer, of Indiana, a daughter, Jeanine (John) Bakker, of Chicago, and Richard's children Dee Gansemer of Suwannee, GA, Bev (Paul) O'Halloran of Hyde Park, NY, David (Kathleen) Gansemer, of Dubuque, IA, and Doug Fink, of Union Grove, WI, along with 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Nancy (Don) Brandstatter of Chillicothe and Alice (Paul) Johnson of Medford, WI, one brother, Robert (Jackie) Naumann of Decatur, AL, and sister-in-law Jeanne Naumann of Tonica.

Virginia had a quiet strong faith in God. She was a devoted wife and mother. Throughout her life she gave graciously and selflessly and volunteered her gifts and talents to serve in her church and community. She enjoyed quilting and worked crossword puzzles daily. She had a green thumb, especially growing gorgeous geraniums. She was also an avid reader. Virginia graduated from Brown's Business School in Peoria. She worked as a bookkeeper for Sears and Mendota Lutheran Home. Sh was also a town guide with Rainbow Travel and Tri-State Tours in Galena. She and Richard enjoyed many years in their winter home in Mesa. She will be missed in her Mesa East Community and by the ladies in her quilting club. She was a faithful and active member of her church Victory Lutheran in Mesa and St John's Lutheran when home in the summer months.

Memorials may be directed to Good Sheperd Assisted Living, LCC 6464 Norwood Circle, Mesa, AZ 85215, St. John's Lutheran Church, or World Vision International.