Virginia Fietsch started the Clintonville Grief Support Group.
She was born in Westmont, Illinois, graduating from Downers Grove High School. Fietsch earned a degree in music education from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and worked as a substitute teacher for a few years before marrying. Fietsch and her late husband of 35 years, John, then bought a ServiceMaster franchise and moved to Wisconsin. After 20 years they opened a rental store in Clintonville. Currently she works part time at D. Mitchell Interiors and is the choir director at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville.
Fietsch has four sons and five grandchildren with two more on the way. She lives in Clintonville, where she volunteers at her church. She enjoys reading and spending time with her grandchildren.
Q How did the Clintonville Grief Support Group get started?
A “It started with my church which offered a 13-week video for people who were grieving. The group decided we would like something ongoing. Maybe it was time to get this started so we met and talked about things. We applied for a grant from Thrivent, which gave me seed money to purchase books and a place to meet. It is Christian based. I went to Aster Assisted Living, where they graciously waived any fee for the Behling Room. We just started in October.”
Q How has it been going?
A “In December, we did a video on surviving the holidays. I’ve sent letters to churches and pastors. Funeral directors have been very supportive. Other people in the community and I experienced losses. Ten years ago, I lost my husband to cancer. Two and a half years ago, my son went camping and drowned. It broke my heart. I’ve had good support. I feel this is something I’m being led to do. When I talk to someone else who has lost a child, there is something unique about it.”
Q Why is it important to you to have the group?
A “I came to a place and my faith really saved me. It took a while. I learned to be grateful for the years I had with them. That’s what I concentrated on. I need to show that you can find joy following a horrible loss. It‘s a fellowship for people who are grieving. I‘m not a counselor. It‘s sharing with others.”
The Clintonville Grief Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month in the Behling Room at the Aster Assisted Living facility, 36 N. Main St., Clintonville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For information, call Fietsch at 715-823-2238.
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