Virginia R (Hetzel) Menzel "Gena"

Virginia "Gena", born July 20, 1929, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 at Kathy Hospice on Saturday, January 17, 2026. She was born and raised in Hartford, WI, the beloved daughter of the late Edwin and Laura (Brill) Hetzel. Gena attended St. Kilian's Catholic Elementary School, and Hartford Union High School graduating in 1947.
Gena's life was marked by faith, love, and dedication to her family. She married the love of her life, James, on April 19, 1952, and moved to West Bend and raised five children while employed at the Clothes Clinic. Gena was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church for over 70 years.
Gena had a love of being in the kitchen baking chocolate chip cookies, her famous cutouts which only she could master and her infamous baked dish, for which she never shared her secrets, which took precedence over some holiday favorites. She loved to play sheepshead, golf, and bowl with her friends. One of her greatest joys was going to play bingo and gambling with family and friends. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play sports and later she loved to play board games, dice, and learn all the new games we would teach her.
Gena will be lovingly remembered by her children Steve (Cindy) Menzel of Lake Elmo, MN, Sue Eastman, of Hartford, WI, Tom (Kerry) Menzel of Minneapolis, MN, Bob (Colleen) Menzel of Cedar Grove, WI, and Barb (Keith) Welker of West Bend, WI; grandchildren Lee Menzel, Rachel Menzel, Brad (Hannah) Eastman, Aaron (Brittany) Eastman, Andy (Kristen) Eastman, Ashley (Alex) Frescoln, Sam (Liz) Menzel, Kara Hayek, Luke (Ann) Menzel, Jake (Lindsey) Menzel, Cassie (Ben) Gebauer, Nie Menzel, Jenna (Dylan) Bartelt, Trisha (Aaron) Delzer, and Mitchell (Lisa Biertzer) Welker; great-grandchildren Tinley, Rhya, Axten, Archer, Harper, Parker, Owen, Harrison, Emmett, Rooney, Otto, Dallas, Saylor, Mya, and Wesley. She is further survived by her brother-in-law, John Nettesheim, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Gena was preceded in death by her parents Edwin & Laura Hetzel, her loving husband of 70 years, James Menzel, and her brothers, Martin (Lorainne), Walter (Georgia), and Raymond Hetzel, sister Gertrude (Joseph Sr) Wagner, and brother-in law Donald (Dorothy) Menzel and sister-in-law Elaine Nettesheim,
With a lifetime of memories, her presence will be dearly missed, but her faith, generosity, and dedication to us all will be present for generations to come,
The family would like to thank the staff and friends she met at New Perspective for making her feel welcome. A special thank you to Dr. Charles Kaufmann and Kathy Hospice for the care and compassion they showed to Gena.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 8:30 am until 10:00 am with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:15 am, Holy Angels Catholic Church, 138 N. 8th Ave., West Bend, WI. The Burial will be at Washington County Memorial Park immediately following the Mass of Christian Burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gena's name may be made in accordance with the families wishes.