Virginia Prindiville-Johns

Virginia Mae Prindiville-Johns, formerly Virginia Mergen, age 84, of Wausau, died on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Azura Memory Care with her loving family by her side.

Virginia was born in Madison on December 1, 1934 to the late Raymond and Lorraine (Stensrud) Prindiville.  She married James Mergen and together they raised four beautiful children.  Virginia later remarried Bernard Johns.

After high school, Ginni entered St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Madison where she later met her future husband James Mergen at Vilas Park. They went on to have four children who they raised together in Madison.

Ginni’s career consisted of secretarial work at Zerlith Printing and CROP; both in Madison. The family relocated to Wausau in 1971 where Ginni continued her career at Horace Mann Middle School and Wausau East High School.

In 1982, Ginni’s new adventure began with the birth of her first grandchild. Five more grandkids came over the next 14 years. Ginni helped to care for all six of her grandkids. This was her true passion in life. She filled their lives with many special memories of trips to Kreager Bakery, the library, Taco Johns, city bus rides, Dairy Queen and A&W. They will hold these memories and many more in their hearts forever. Grandma Scoots was the best.

After her grandkids were all in school, she devoted her life to being a caregiver to two close friends who had Alzheimer’s disease. She loved and cared for the ladies as though they were family.  She genuinely loved and cared for them without ever asking for anything in return.

Little did she know that the very disease which affected her two friends would eventually become her very own battle.

For 19 months, Ginni was lovingly cared for by the amazing staff at Azura Memory Care. The staff became part of Ginni’s family because they treated her with such love and dignity. She was cared for with such gentleness and grace until the end of her journey here on earth.

She is survived by her children David Michael Mergen (Wanda McDade) of Tuscon, AZ, Steven James Mergen of Madison, Lisa Ann (Keith) Pagel of Minocqua, and Lori Kay (Kevin) Becker of Kronenwetter; grandchildren Nicholas (Annabelle) Schilling, Jessica Pagel (Ryan Lubbe), Jennifer Pagel (Steven Brandsma), Adam (Brandie) Becker, Jordan (Sandy) Becker, and Zackary Becker; and great grandchildren Edward and Josie Becker, Wesley, Bostynn, Kane, and Sawyer Schilling

Virginia is preceded in death by her first husband James Mergen, husband Bernie Johns,  her Aunt Gracie, and her parents Raymond and Lorraine Prindiville.

A private family service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Azura Memory Care, 3704 Hummingbird Rd., Wausau.

Online condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Azura Memory Care as well as Interim Hospice. Our lives have been blessed and enriched by the loving staff of Azura. We can’t thank you enough for all that you did for our mom