Virginia Olshanski

Madison- Virginia A Olshanski, age 82, jumped onto the Milwaukee Road train headed for heaven on Saturday June 2, 2012. The train was engineered by her parents, John and Celia Hodgson, and the passenger cars were filled with her loving family and friends that have passed before her. She slipped away from her loving earthly family to join the ride!

Ginny was born in Madison on January 20, 1930. She grew up in the Vilas Park area with 6 other sisters and one lone courageous brother. The Hodgson clan was close, fun and shared many laughs. She attended Madison West High School, and went on to work for the Pahl Tire Company. Her siblings all settled in Madison, so the family clan was large, together frequently, and was such a large part of the fabric of all of our memories. Ginny married Henry Olshanski on March 3, 1951. They spent some time in California, where Hank was stationed with the Marines, then returned to Madison where over the years they raised their 5 children, and enjoyed their many friends.

The yearly family summer "Up North" trip, started by Hank and Ginny in 1994, was one of the highlights in her life. She loved the themed costume nights, the lake life, and the total family chaos and love that filled the north woods.

She enjoyed following and rooting for the Badgers, attending the games with Hank. She was also a volunteer at Kiwanis. She loved shopping, driving around in her convertible, visiting and enjoying her friends, social activities...and more shopping. She might have been the only woman at Agrace Hospice with an overfilled closet and dresser, and still had the family looking for the right outfit. She always looked fabulous!

Ginny was a long time dental office manager for Dr. James Lampman. Not only were they a great team, but also became close friends throughout the years. She retired in 2009. She loved her career, as it provided her a place to see and interact with so many different people. One of Ginny's greatest gifts was to make everyone feel like they were special!

Ginny is preceded in death by her husband Henry Olshanski, her sisters Alice (Pat) Pahl, Helen (Joseph) Collins, Dorothy (Tony) Werth, Betty (Tony) Vickerman, her brother John Hodgson, her parents John and Celia Hodgson, and her brother-in-law John Laugen.

She is survived and celebrated by sons Tom Olshanski, John (Sandy) Olshanski, & Jim (Michele) Olshanski, and daughters Patty (John) Grum, & Mary (John) Rastas, 17 grandkids and 8 great-grand babies, and sisters Donna (Jim) Kohl, Ester Laugen, & sister-in-law Lori Hodgson.

A memorial service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Donations may be made to the absolutely amazing Agrace Hospice who cared so lovingly for Ginny and her family. Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin 53711. She really loved her caregivers and the facility!