Virginia Eileen Kneeland

Virginia (Gin) Eileen Sackett Kneeland On the morning of February 3rd, 2018, the earth lost an angel and heaven gained one. Virginia Eileen (Gin) Kneeland passed away peacefully in her home in Visalia surrounded by her loving family, 5 days after her 101st birthday. Gin was born on January 29, 1917 in Winnebago, Minnesota to Elihu and Amy Sackett. She was a very good student, as proven by a 12th grade report card found very recently. The only class she did not score well in (Orchestra) was only due to the fact that she really disliked playing the cello. She married the love of her life, Laverne (Bud) Kneeland in 1936. Together they raised three children, Phil, Dennis and Karen. They moved from Minnesota to Vashon Island, Washington in 1942 where Bud worked in the shipyards and then with Boeing Aircraft. Gin also worked in the shipyards as a riveter to support the war effort. Her family is so proud that she was truly our "Rosie the Riveter". In 1945 they relocated from Vashon to San Francisco, California where she was fortunate to be a stay at home mom for a while. Over the next few years, Bud and Gin lived in quite a few locations across California. In Stockton she served as a bookkeeper at the Metropolitan Room and also for Servomation Corp., in Modesto, where she worked as a valued employee for about 15years. Bud and Gin relocated to Visalia in 1983 to be closer to their son Phil and their many grandchildren in the area. Gin used the accounting skills she had gained at Servomation Corporation to start a home accounting business and managed the books for local gas stations, liquor stores, donut shops and trucking companies. She provided this service to her dedicated and happy customers well into her 90s. Gin was preceded in death by her husband Bud and son Dennis. She is survived by her son Phil (Linda) of Visalia, daughter Karen Baker of Visalia, 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. She was the best mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend anyone could have ever hoped for and she will be dearly missed. The Kneeland family stands in awe of the special care and life giving support that our Aunty and Sister gave to our Mom over the last 21 years. Karen Baker, Gin's only daughter, lived with our Mom and cared for her special needs through a broken hip and many leg wounds. Karen was our angel who allowed our Mom and Grandma the ability to stay at home, right up to departing this earth, with the dignity that few elderly loved ones get experience. We owe Karen so much that we will never be able to repay her. We especially thank Dr Kilani and her surgical team, and the Kaweah Delta Hospice Team who provided such excellent care at home. There will be a Celebration of Life for Gin on Saturday, the 10th of February, 2018 at 3pm at Salser and Dillard Chapel in Visalia. The family welcomes anyone who's life was touched by Gin. The Kneeland Family

Virginia Eileen Kneeland

January 29, 1917 - February 3, 2018