Virginia ‘Babe’ Droegkamp (née Schilllinger)

Our dear mother Virginia ‘Babe’ Droegkamp, born June 13, 1928, passed away peacefully and entered eternal life with Our Lord on September 29, 2022 at age 94.

Babe is survived by her two daughters Linda (Paul) Ziemer and Mary (Michael) Rode; Granddaughters Lauren (Steve) Scott, Elizabeth (Thomas) Cottrell. Great grandchildren Morgan, Quinn and Donovan and countless beloved family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband and best friend Don, parents Frank and Genevieve, brothers Louis, Jack and sister Dolores.

Babe was the “baby” of a family of four children raised in Madison, Wisconsin and spent her early years as her dad’s best pal and fishing buddy on the lakes of Madison. As a teenager she enjoyed working as a gopher for her dad at the Capital Times.

She met the love of her life (and amateur comedy routine partner) Don when he was a returning WWII veteran attending law school at UW-Madison. They married in 1950 and moved to Wauwatosa where they raised two daughters in their welcoming, long-time home filled with love, laughter and bustling activity. Mom’s themed birthday parties complete with homemade costumes were legendary. Her creative talents were also put to good use for many a church pageant and school project. Mom’s open door policy made our home a destination for so many friends and family who were always welcome at any time or holiday, either at our home on Stickney Avenue or our fun-filled family summer cottage on Lake Keesus.

When asked what she was most grateful for in life, she would always say her two daughters and the wonderful granddaughters they raised. She was a woman who gave and received joy effortlessly and made a profound impact on so many with her love of life, compassion, loving advice and caring. In tribute to her, may we all pass on the smiles that she brought to everyone so freely. She will forever be missed but her legacy extends far and wide and she will live forever in our hearts and memories while we wait to join her again.

Memorials greatly appreciated to Shorehaven (Oconomowoc), Disabled American Veterans or Lake Area Free Clinic (Oconomowoc).

Visitation will be Thursday November 3, 2022 at Chenequa Country Club, 6250 North Highway 83 in Hartland from 10am until time of memorial service at 11am.

To watch the recorded service with your ZOOM account, please click here.