Virginia Kraft

She was born on January 1, 1927, to Thomas and Rose Cosche and raised in Detroit. She was a long time resident of Farmington Hills, before moving to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the beautiful town of Grand Marais on the shores of Lake Superior, and then to Alpena, before returning to the Detroit area and spending the last 20 years in Madison Heights.

Following the death of her beloved oldest son Thomas in 1963, and due to the medical issues confronted in his illness, Virginia put herself through nursing school at Oakland Community College, first as a Licensed Practical Nurse and then as a Registered Nurse in 1971. Virginia accomplished this as a single mother, working while going to school, and raising her three young sons Walter, Victor and Paul.

Virginia was proud of her work as a nurse and of her commitment to assisting and supporting patients and families. She dedicated her career to caring for patients at several care settings including the Visiting Nurses Association, Beaumont Hospital, Pontiac State Hospital, Northville Regional Psychiatric Hospital, Veterans Administration, Samaritan Medical Center, and MediLodge of Farmington.

She had many interests through the years -- travel and continuing education among them. Virginia visited England and Scandinavia as part of a study abroad program on comparative health systems. She traveled to Greece and what was formerly Yugoslavia to learn more about and meet her ancestors.

Virginia embraced life’s simple pleasures. She was a lover of reading, whether medical journals or poetry; and writing, whether poems about the beauty of nature or letters to politicians or newspapers expressing concerns about issues. She also actively participated in dance.

Virginia is survived by her children Walter (Stephani Field) Kraft; Victor (Michelle) Kraft; Paul (Lori) Kraft; grandchildren Nicole Kraft Lax; Ryan Kraft; Jason Kraft; Matteo (Jessica) Lopiccolo; Meagan (Mathew) Mau and great granddaughter Aubrey; her dear sister Mary Battani; and, many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son Thomas Kraft, brother Steven Kholing and sisters Lillian Radtke and Thelma Trescott.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, Oct. 18 from 3-9 p.m. at Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home, 30351 Dequindre, Madison Heights, Mich. 48071.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, Oct. 19 at Antioch Lutheran Church, 33360 W. 13 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, Mich. 48334. The family will greet friends at 9 a.m. with the service to begin at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi, with a luncheon to follow at Antioch Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those interested to make donations in Virginia’s memory to:

• Michigan Nurses Foundation;

• Henry Ford Hospice; or,

• Antioch Lutheran Church