Virginia M. "Giggs" Knutzen of Akron passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Washington County Nursing Home at the age of 95.

She was born April 8, 1928 in Akron, the youngest of four daughters of Emil and Ida (Carothers) Bucholz.

Virginia was married to F. E. "Sonny" Knutzen on August 1, 1948. To this union 5 children were born. They made their home in Sterling, later moving to the homestead south of Akron where they were engaged in farming & ranching. In 1970 the family moved to the Otis community where they continued to farm for a few years before becoming a full-time thoroughbred horse breeding farm.

In the earlier years of their marriage, Virginia and Sonny traveled to Mexico, and then several countries while in search of breeding stock for the horse farm. After retirement from the horse ranch in 1982, they moved back to Akron and remained there, wintering in Quartzsite, Arizona until Sonny's death in 1992.

Virginia remained in Akron for the remainder of her years where she worked tirelessly in her yard maintaining beautiful flower & vegetable gardens and babysitting grandkids as they grew up and frequent dinners for her youngest family that lived in Akron. Happy hour with Sister Velma and husband Rich that lived next door was always a highlight at the end of her day during those years.

Virginia is survived by her daughter Barbara Severin and husband Nick of Aurora, Ohio; son Brian Knutzen and wife Teresa (Mollohan) of Pensacola, Florida; daughter Brenda Heberlein and husband Jerry of Yuma, Colorado; son Bruce Knutzen and wife Beverly (Bradney) of Akron, CO. Grandkids Michael Severin of Aurora, Ohio; Treat Heberlein & wife Kathleen of Yuma, Colorado; Tad Heberlein & wife Jessica of Pensacola, Florida; Derek Knutzen & Darin Knutzen of Akron. Great-grandchildren; Kaylee Hope of Ohio; Cooper Heberlein & Palmer Heberlein of Yuma. Her niece and friend Dena Beck of Stockton, Kansas, a frequent visitor and vacation companion of Virginia's.

She was preceded in death by her father Emil Bucholz; her mother Ida Hayes, Sisters Viola Hayes; Velma Elliott of Akron; Vera Jones of Texas; an infant child; grandson Drue Severin and husband Sonny.

As to her wishes, there will be no funeral. The family is planning an inurnment and celebration of her life at a later date.