Virginia Schmale

On the 4th of July, 2025, Virginia Mary (Lyons) Schmale, Verona Wisconsin, 95, joyfully joined the multitude of loved ones waiting on the other side. Many called her a red-headed firecracker making her chosen date befitting! Virginia was born October 22, 1929, to Frank and Lillian (Genin) Lyons and was their first of 6 children. Mom was brought up in a happy Catholic Irish home in Montrose township - Basco and Paoli – and then Verona. She settled in Verona and lived in the same house on South Franklin Street for over 60 years.

Married first to the late V. DeLos Jones, Virginia worked at the state capitol for the Department of Treasury until their third child was born. Adding four more for a total of seven, she was a successful Avon Lady for over 25 years and made the President’s Club. She also worked in Food Service at the Dane County Hospital in Verona for 20 years before retiring in 1987. Virginia married Richard (Dick) Schmale in 1981 and they were married 27 years before his passing in 2008. Thanks to Dick’s 22 years in the Navy and Seabees serving his country, Virginia resided In the Wisconsin Veterans Home – King for the past six years where she has received exceptional care while dementia and Alzheimer’s took her from her family. She never lost her Irish sense of humor, however! She loved to dance the Polka, was a great cook, loved shamrocks and as a red-head, always wore green!

Survivors include Virginia’s siblings - sister Francita Lyons Schaller, brother Donald Lyons and her brother Richard’s widow Linda Lyons. Her children – David P. Jones; Michelle Larson (Roger); Renee Hagen (Howard); Kevin Jones; Melanie Barton (Larry); Sheila Young. Grandchildren – Eric Jones; Brock (Liz) Jones; Kyle Jones; Emily Larson Takkunen (Erik); Ross Larson; Jessica Larson; Evan (Andrea) Hagen; Steven Hagen; Valerie Gabrielson (Lance); Brandon Young; Nicole Young Dzibinski (Brandon). Great grandchildren - Isabella Jones; Harper and Brooks Takkunen; Jack, Bryce, Kaylie and Elsie Hagen, Owen Gabrielson; Everett (Rhett) Dzibinski. Many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved and appreciated.

Survivors also include Virginia’s step-children, Dick’s children, Rick & Cathy (Bridwell) Schmale family; Kathy (Schmale) and Jim Beyer family; Teri (Schmale) and Don Nolden; Lisa Grumann family.

Loved ones who preceded her in death, her son Steven Jones, her husband Richard Schmale, daughter-in-law, Mary Jones, grandparents Alphonse and Frances (Sauer) Genin; parents Frank and Lillian (Genin) Lyons; siblings Patrick and his wife Carole Lyons, Richard Lyons, Lillian and her husband Gerald Miller along with son Jerry, Robert Schaller (Francita’s husband), Mary McNamee Lyons (Donald’s wife). Nieces Theresa, Mary, Lisa Kelly and Ann Lillian Lyons, daughters of her brother Patrick. On the Jones’ side, her first husband DeLos and his parents Verlin and Grace (Roudebush) Jones, his brothers Glenn, Raymond and LeRoyce.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, July 14, 2025, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 301 N. Main Street, Verona. A visitation will be held from 9:00AM until time of Mass on Monday at the church. Burial at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625