Virginia “Ginny” C. Federwitz, age 76 of the Town of Matteson, passed away early Sunday morning, December 21, 2025 at Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center, Clintonville.
On August 5, 1949, Virginia Clara was born to Marlyn and Ruth (Kappelman) Topp in Eldora, Iowa. Luckily, she was born in time so that her dad could play baseball in the evening! She was the oldest of their children: Linda Louise, Carol Elise, and Robert Marlyn. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hubbard, Iowa.
Ginny attended the Radcliffe community school and graduated high school in 1967. She went on to attend Concordia Teacher’s College (now Concordia University of Nebraska) in Seward, Nebraska graduating in 1971 with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
Her first divine Call was to Zion Lutheran Church and School in Palmyra, Missouri teaching first and second grade. In 1975, she accepted a Call to St. Martin Lutheran School teaching first grade, and taught there for the remainder of her teaching career. She spent over 35 years teaching her students and serving their families.
While teaching, she met her beloved, DuWayne Federwitz. They married on November 26, 1977. Along with DuWayne came three lovely children: Denise, Dennis, and Dorie. Later they were blessed with two more children: Darla and Douglas. They were married for just over 48 years and exemplified a marriage based on Christ-filled love and commitment. They were abundantly blessed with fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Ginny led a full and wonderful life. She had many adventures, some great and some small, but all a pleasure and a blessing. She was active in her home congregation, serving as a Sunday school teacher as well as singing in the adult choir for many years. She also was active in other local congregations, especially St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano. There she not only attended Bible Study, but she also played in the handbell choir. Along with that came the opportunity to travel all over Russia, witnessing to many while playing music. Ginny also traveled to Israel, Greece, and all over the continent of Europe with her husband and other friends, collecting nativity sets along the way.
Many of her adventures were right here in Clintonville. Ginny was in various bowling leagues, a regular reader @ St. Martin’s Story time, a “teaspoon of milk in my Sumatra” partaker in coffee club, an avid participant in book clubs, and a member of numerous Bible study groups. Ginny was on the Clintonville Library Board for many years because, well, she simply loved to read and thought everyone should be given the chance to enhance themselves with the gift of reading. She was grateful to work, serve, laugh, debate, and chat with so many people during all the adventures the Lord gave her.
Survivors include:
Her loving husband, DuWayne
Children: Denise Cesar (Appleton); Dennis (Diane) Federwitz (Clintonville); Dorie Daharsh (special friend Eric) (Appleton); Darla (Dan) Beckwith (Jacksonville, FL); Doug (Tracy) Federwitz (New Berlin)
Grandchildren: Edwin and Ebony Cesar; Nathan and Morgan Federwitz; Leyton and Maddie Daharsh; Penelope, Alex, Teddy, Cadence, and Josiah Beckwith; Harry, Cyrus, and Opal Federwitz
Great grandchildren: Nami Cesar
Sisters: Linda Wegner, Carol Worland
Brother: Robert “Bob” Topp
Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives
Ginny was preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law Tony.
Memorial services will be held 11 AM on Friday January 2, 2026 at St. Martin Lutheran Church, Clintonville with the Rev. Jason Zobel officiating. Inurnment will take place at St. Martin Lutheran Cemetery, Town of Larrabee, at a later date.
Visitation will take place on Friday at the church from 9 AM until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ginny’s name are preferred to be directed to Lutheran Bible Translators. More information can be found at: lbt.org/partner-with-us/give/
The Federwitz family would like to thank the staff of both ThedaCare At Home Hospice and Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center, for the loving care provided to Ginny.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the Federwitz family with arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.
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