Last Updated on September 16, 2021 by Kroeger Funeral Home
Virginia Barnes ‘Ginna’ Kniesly, age 99, Logansport, passed away at 10:10 a.m., on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Miller’s Merry Manor.
God Bless the Angels at Millers Merry Manor, every one of whom treated Ginna as their own.
Ginna was the youngest of 8 daughters born in Logansport, IN to Emily Christine (Engelbrecht) and JamesI. Barnes. She attended Franklin Grade School, Riley Jr. High, and LHS, class of 1939. Boyfriend “Red” Kniesly joined the Army Air Corps after the attack on Pearl so Ginna left Stephens College fearing that she would never see him again. In the European Theatre of war “Red” navigated a B-17 Flying Fortress to targets across the English Channel and back to Snetterton Heath 25 times. His last entry in his flight log for mission 25: “Send a cable to Ginna – pay day! Rogah!!!!” On June 14, 1947 they were married. Children Kathy Vesh (Chesterton), John (Angelia, Indpls), Tom (Culver), and Tim (Logansport), and grandchildren Andrew and Matt (Laura) Vesh, John (Anna) Kniesly, Elizabeth Kniesly, and Sarah (Tony) Davis survive.
Among survivors is a superb group of Ginna’s nephews and nieces: Joan Drompp McAfee, Sparling girls Ginna Doyle and Linda Boswell, Jim Hillis and Janie Hillis Osborne, Bob Medland, Muehlhausen nephews
Gordie and Steven and niece Christine Williamson who, along with now departed members of that 3rd generation, made Lake Maxinkuckee summers and Logansport winters especially fun, and safe, for their Kniesly cousins.
Preceding her in death were sisters and brothers-in-law Lucille and Fritz Drompp, Emily and Bill Studebaker, Doris and Franklin Hillis, Marjorie and Floyd Sparling, Clara and Jim Medland, Betty and Gordie Muehlhausen, and husband Forest R. “Red” Kniesly who died in 1966. Elizabeth, the second born sister, was taken by childhood illness. Also preceding their Aunt Ginna in death were Drompp nieces Carolyn Moore and Judy Guild, Janet Hillis Pence, Suzanne Sparling Mitchell, and nephews Bill Studebaker, Jim Medland, and Fritz MuehlhausenA homemaker, Brownie Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother, Ginna also appeared at Longfellow Grade School Fall Festivals as “Captain Kangaroo”. So well costumed was she that one would have expected Mr. Green Jeans to be just down the hall.
Hobos who walked to 829 E. Market from the rail yard and stood at the side gate seeking food were not turned away hungry. Ginna served on the YWCA board and loved working for Spring Creek Nursery. An avid bird watcher, she and sister Betty teamed as regional bird counters for the IN DNR. Her offspring were taught to love and respect the outdoors and God’s creatures. Catching turtles, and releasing, was encouraged. Into her 80’s Ginna, a child member of Dorothy’s Dainty Dancers tap troupe, could “Shuffle off to Buffalo” at the drop of a hat!
She was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Logansport. A memorial service is planned for 11AM Friday, September 24, 2021 at St. James Lutheran Church, 430 Ninth Street, Logansport, IN. Pastor K. C. Dehning will officiate. A reception will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers a gift to the church would better serve humanity.