Janet Ruth Kirsch, 79, of Virginia Beach passed away peacefully on April 13, 2016. Janet was born in Hobart, Indiana on March 21, 1937.
She returned to school as an adult and earned a degree in accounting, spending many years in the banking industry. She was always passionate about history and at one time volunteered her time as a historical interpreter at Heritage Hill Living History Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was this shared love of history that led her and her husband Bob to become involved with the Civil War Preservation Trust and she was very proud to contribute to efforts which helped preserve several battlefields.
She also was interested in researching her own family’s genealogy. Janet loved to travel and see new places, and has traveled and lived all over the United States. During their marriage, Janet and Bob lived in California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Oregon, and finally settled in Virginia. She particularly loved spending time in the R.V. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, preparing goodies for her family and friends, and also sewing costumes and blankets for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
When she wasn’t having adventures with Bob, she was making the lives of others around her memorable. She was sneaky with her gift giving and was known to send family members out of the house so she could secretly wrap presents for others. She enjoyed a good laugh and loved spreading cheer to her family. She was a cheerleader for her family members and also a shoulder to cry on during hard times. She would always listen and provide sound advice.
Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Sarah Anne (Judge) Sonntag; her brothers Fred, Russell, and sister Sarah Ann Oliver. She is survived by her sister Lorraine Kietzmann; sisters-in-law Joyce Sonntag and Lou Sonntag and several nieces and nephews. She is further survived by her dedicated and loving husband of 24 years, Robert (Bob) Kirsch. During their time together, they lived in Oregon, California, Wisconsin, Arizona, and finally Virginia Beach. She will be missed by her two sons, Michael (Doreen) Kubik, Anthony (Joe Charles) Kubik, and daughter Lorraine (David) Buchberger, as well as step-sons Jeff Kirsch and Eric Kirsch. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren Holly (Mike) Patterson, Nicholas (Jessica Kidd) Kubik, Stacy (Brian “The Rebel”) Taylor, Deenah Quinn, Rebecca Lane, Riyun Buchberger, Mara Buchberger, Kayla Kubik (James Brumback), and 11 great-grandchildren. She will also be missed by good friends from all over the country. During her time in Oregon she was particularly close to her good friends Hanh and Ngoc Tham and Nhat and Hong Cao and their children who considered her “granny.”
Janet’s family would like to thank Dr. Leonard Cajulis for taking good care of Janet and bringing her joy in her final months. The family is also grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff of Sentara Leigh Intensive Care Unit. Their dedication and kindness helped Janet and her family through this difficult transition and is greatly appreciated.
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Our deepest condolences and sympathies go out to Bob Kirsch and the Kubik and Buchberger families.
May you find peace and comfort during this difficult time.God Bless You!!