Virginia "Ginny" Mechelke (née Nygren), 98, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, at her home at Fairway Knoll in Germantown, Wisconsin.

 

Virginia was born in Anaheim, California, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She later made her home in Menomonee Falls and Germantown, Wisconsin, where she spent most of her life. As a young woman, she was an active member of Job's Daughters and the Order of the Eastern Star.

 

Virginia was married twice. She first married Warren Buchelt, with whom she had two children, Thomas and Robin. Warren was tragically killed in a car accident while on leave from the U.S. Army. Virginia later married Don Mechelke, and together they had a son, Michael. She worked for many years as a seamstress — both freelance and for Kahn's Clothing in Menomonee Falls — and later as a bookkeeper for D.M. Builders, her husband Don's company.

 

For several years in the 1970s and 1980s, Virginia and Don were "snowbirds," splitting time with Wisconsin friends at a second home in Jupiter, Florida, which for a time became their primary residence.

 

Virginia's hands were rarely idle. She was passionate about sewing and created countless dresses, outfits, and costumes for her children, family, and friends, including wedding gowns and bridesmaids' dresses, as well as costumes for her beloved Sweet Adelines chorus. She also loved to crochet, making hundreds of blankets, hats, scarves, pillows, and other accessories over the years — many of which she donated to patients at hospitals throughout the Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee area.

 

Music was one of the great joys of Virginia's life. She began taking piano lessons as a child and carried that love of playing with her throughout her life, both for her own enjoyment and for others. She was a longtime member of Sweet Adelines and sang with the Villagaires Barbershop Chorus, performing in numerous shows and competitions. She also sang in several barbershop quartets that performed within chorus shows and competed at the national and international level. Virginia was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Menomonee Falls, where she sang in the church choir, played piano for the children's choruses, and led children's singing groups. She later continued her love of music in the choir at Fairway Knoll in Germantown.

 

Virginia was a natural athlete. As a child, she took dance lessons and was an impressive diver. In her young adult years, she enjoyed playing tennis and racquetball. She was an avid bowler and golfer, bowling weekly in a bowling league and golfing every week at North Hills Country Club.

 

To everyone who knew her, she was simply "Ginny." She was a natural hostess who, alongside Don, loved throwing parties and filling their home with friends and laughter. Cocktail hour was sacred — her daily martini was practically a ritual. Ginny had a dry sense of humor and never had trouble telling you exactly what she thought; she had a reputation for being tough, but underneath was a deeply compassionate and loving heart. She was, above all, an unwaveringly supportive and proud parent, grandparent, and great grandparent.

 

Virginia was surrounded by love at the end, with her children Michael and Robin, along with caregiver Sylvia and hospice nurse Molly, by her side.

 

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Warren Buchelt; her son, Thomas Buchelt; her second husband, Don Mechelke; and her son-in-law, Michael Price.

 

Virginia is survived by her children, Robin Price and Michael Andrew (Lea); her daughter-in-law, Midge; her grandchildren, Matthew Price (Heather), Andrea Rankin (Shawn), and Thomas Andrew; and her great-grandchildren, Morgan Price, Brooke Price, Macey Price, Owen Rankin, and Stella Rankin.

 

Following her passing, a Bedside Memorial and Procession of Honor was held at Fairway Knoll as Virginia's body was transferred. Pastor Pete led the service, joined by staff and many residents who gathered in the lobby to pay their respects. The service incorporated Fairway Knoll's special Procession of Honor Quilt — a quilt Virginia herself had helped create as part of Fairway Knoll’s Procession of Honor Resident Quilt Makers.

 

The family is grateful for the incredible care provided by Sylvia from Angel Love and Care, LLC, and the team of nurses, caregivers, and chaplain from Commonheart Home Health and Hospice. We are also grateful to the wonderful staff, Pastor Pete, and all of her friends at Fairway Knoll for their love and support over the past eight years.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial gifts to "Happy Hookers," which supplied the yarn Virginia used to crochet and knit afghans, mittens, and scarves for hospital patients and several charities throughout the Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee area for many years. Donations for yarn may be sent to: Menomonee Falls Community and Recreation Center, c/o "Happy Hookers," W152N8645 Margaret Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051