Virginia Elizabeth (Winskell) French

Benton, Wisconsin Virginia Elizabeth (Winskell) French, 94, of Benton, WI passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 27, at Our House in Platteville, WI. She was fondly remembered as Din or Dinna. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 2, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Benton with Rev. Bill Vasey officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 9-10:45 a.m. Saturday morning at the church. Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Benton is in charge of arrangements. Virginia, daughter of J. Alvin and Mildred (Laughton) Winskell of Benton, was born on October 23, 1922, in Benton. She was a great-granddaughter of one of the first pioneer families of Benton. Virginia lived most of her life in Benton, having graduated from Benton High School in 1940 as valedictorian. She continued her education at the University of Dubuque, Iowa, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce and Business Education. Virginia graduated magna cum laude, was president of the senior class, and earned four years of outstanding awards and accomplishments, locally and nationally. She accepted a position with the Madison Public School System in the Business Education Department of East High School. After two years, she returned to Benton. Simultaneously, a young Army Air pilot of World War II (George French) came back to Benton to attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to begin a teaching profession. George and Virginia were both born and raised on Galena Street in Benton. After the war, they were reunited and married on September 21, 1952, at the home of her parents. They were blessed with four children – Jon, Jeanne, Nancy, and Lynn. Years later, Virginia became an author of two books – “Sights & Sounds of Steamboatin” and “Benton Women Are Unique.” As a result, she was nominated to membership to the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She also enjoyed a modeling career for several years with Positive Reflections of Dubuque. She did runway modeling, commercials, and more. In addition, she enjoyed developing and teaching an accredited Vocational Business Education Program for adults at Benton High School. In spite of her many interests during her entire life, her family was always the deepest and primary love and center of her life. Virginia was a member of the Benton United Methodist Church, a member of the Board of Trustees, Church Choir, and was affiliated and played leading roles in several national social science and business fraternities and social sororities including: Zeta Sigma Pi, Delta Phi Sigma, and Alpha Pi Omega. Survivors of her family include: her husband, George French, of Platteville; three children, Jon (Jacque) French of Davis, IL; Jeanne (Dave) Steffen of Glenwood City, WI; Lynn (Jeff Pollei) French, of Dodgeville; and a son-in-law, Will Keener, of Wausau. Also surviving are ten grandchildren: Joel French, Jamie French, Juli Meier, Amy Preston, Anne Hall, Sarah Achterhof, Nathan Keener, Elizabeth Keener, Katelyn Ahsinger, and Sarah Redfearn. Great-grandchildren are: Reese French, Ava Preston, Audrey Preston, Amelia Hall, Katie Hall, Weston Meier, Keaton Meier, and Everly Homb. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Mildred Winskell, a brother, Paul Winskell, and her beloved daughter, Nancy French Keener. The family would like to thank the women of Our House Assisted Living and the nurses of St. Croix Hospice for their care and dedication.