Virginia M. (Pronschinske) Sobotta Kramer

...to be absent from the body [is] to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Virginia M. Pronschinske Sobotta Kramer, aged 98½, of Winona, passed away peacefully December 27, 2025, at Adith Miller Manor. She was born June 18, 1927 to Frank and Rosella (George) Pronschinske in Waumandee, Wisconsin.

Virginia described family life after her father died in a car accident in 1941.

Five days after dad died we were given notice that we had to move off the farm we rented. From then on, mom became a strong person for all of us. We then rented a farm near Arcadia, Wisconsin. We were all young, but we all had our chores to do. The young boys...had to milk cows by hand along with Clem and mom. Mom was like “seven persons,” always with one of us doing some chore of one kind or another.

Virginia married Clarence I. Sobotta and had two children, Beverly and Russell. She worked on the assembly line for Lake Center Switch and for Watkins, but she particularly enjoyed her subsequent work as a saleslady for Spurgeon's Department Store (30 years) and later for Maggie's On Third in Winona (13 years). She was accustomed to walk to and from work in all weathers. Virginia enjoyed baking bread as well as doing embroidery and crotchet projects. She made large cakes of lye soap by hand for use in doing laundry. An assiduous cleaner, she also enjoyed spiffing up her home by painting, often mixing remaining paint colors from prior jobs for a “new look.” After Clarence Sobotta's death, she later married Elias T. Kramer.

Our family wishes to express our very deep appreciation to the entire staff of Adith Miller Manor for their skillful care and the affection they showed Virginia during her three-years residence there. We also are most grateful for the tender and compassionate care shown by the dedicated individuals of Winona Hospice to Virginia and our family. You have been a great blessing to us.

We wish to express our gratitude to Gina McRae for her inspired guidance in bringing Virginia to Adith Miller. Heartfelt thanks are extended to Dr. Jennifer Forsyth, Dr. Herman Junker, and attending physicians at Winona Health.

We appreciate the thoughtfulness and kindness of Virginia's former neighbors, Steve and Theresa Boland, the crucial support of Eileen Lindenau, and the faithful visits and prayers of Matt and Karen Merchlewitz.

Surviving family members include her daughter: Beverly Wagnon Dubiaga and husband, Michael, Forest, VA; daughter-in-law: Lynda Sobotta, Winona; sister: Delane Kampa, East Troy, WI; brothers: Frank (Jeanette) Pronschinske, Winona; and Ivan (Bev) Pronschinske, Arcadia, WI; grandchildren: Emma Wagnon Tinsley (Sutton), Lynchburg, VA, and Jason (Michele) Sobotta, Winona; great-grandchildren: William (Witt) and Robert Hatcher Tinsley and Maisi and Mari Sobotta; sisters-in-law: Loretta Pronschinske and Ethel Sobotta; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents: Frank and Rosella Pronschinske; husbands: Clarence I. Sobotta in 1980 and Elias T. Kramer in 1987; son, Russell J. Sobotta; son-in-law: Jack W. Wagnon; brothers: Clement (Martha) Pronschinske, Dale (Irene) Pronschinske, and Merlin Pronschinske; and a brother-in-law: Duke Kampa.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 E. Sarnia St., Winona, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 10 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM. Deacon Justin Green will officiate. Virginia will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Virginia’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.