WILMINGTON — On June 25, 2025, Virginia Schonowski Flentje, 92, died peacefully in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Virginia was the Devoted Wife of Gerald Flentje, Beloved Mother of Michael, Brenda, Jerry, and Christy, son-in-law Joseph Prettyman, daughters-in-law Debra Flentje and Susan Flentje. Dear Sister of Leonard, Willis, and Raymond Schonowski, and Linda Scherch. Loving Aunt of Kathleen Schonowski, Cynthia Snider, Willis “Billy” Schonowski, Jr., Leonard “Lenny” Allen, Jr., Joyce Mauer, Randy Schonowski and Susan Schonowski. Cherished grandchildren Allison, Andrew, Alexandra, Kyle, Brent, Lily, Amanda, Grace, and great-grandson Walter.
Virginia was born and lived in Locust Point, Baltimore, Maryland – a neighborhood she adored. Also known as Ginny, Sis, & Sissy – she sang in the chorus, glee club and theatre at Southern High School and worked at the Coast Guard yard in Locust Point.
Virginia married Gerald Flentje, her Navy sailor on August 1, 1953, they were married for 71 years. Virginia had a deep knowledge and appreciation of history and worked hard to protect Baltimore’s landmarks. Virginia led petitioners to vote for the Ft. McHenry tunnel and against the Fort McHenry bridge. Virginia graduated from Baltimore City Community College, suma cum laude with a degree in Nursing. Virginia practiced nursing for 11 years at Mercy Hospital and Md. General working in the ICU and CCU.
After raising their children, Virginia and Jerry moved to Rising Sun where they restored a historic stone farmhouse to its original glory and made many close friends in the process. Virginia loved gardening and antiques and taking guests for rides in the country. Virginia and Gerald traveled extensively and they were always up for an adventure, as long as it was with each other.
Virginia is preceded in death by her devoted husband Jerry, parents Robert and Virginia Schonowski, beloved brothers Leonard and Willis, sister Linda Scherch, brother-in-laws Burdette Beck, Lloyd Meyer, Robert Scherch, Russel Flentje, Donald Flentje, sister-in-laws Rose and Emma Schonowski, and Jeanette Kirchstein, niece Stephanie Flentje Morgan, grandniece Rebecca Morgan, nephew John Snider.
