Virginia H. Glotzbach

Virginia Helen (Michaelis) Glotzbach, 85, of Paxico, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at the University of Kansas Saint Francis Hospital, Topeka, Kansas.

Virginia was born on February 19, 1940, in McFarland, Kansas, to Joseph Bennett and Mary Eunice (Hastings) Michaelis. On June 14, 1958, she was united in marriage to William “Bill” Glotzbach at Holy Name Catholic Church in Alma, Kansas. Together, they celebrated 66 years of marriage and raised eight children.

She is survived by her children: Donna (Mark) Lytle of Lansing; Charles Glotzbach of Georgia; Wayne Glotzbach; Vincent (Annette) Glotzbach; Mary (Randy Miller) Glotzbach, all of Paxico; Dorothy (Billy) Hughart of Shawnee; Lynn (Jack) Metz and Keith (Valerie) Glotzbach, both of Topeka. She is also survived by her sister, Carol (Louie) Gasperich of McFarland; 34 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren (with one on the way); and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Margaret Farrell, Lilia McCubbin, Mary Ellen Fulmer, Juanita Coon, Frank Michaelis, Wilfred Michaelis, Olive Glotzbach, Richard Michaelis, and infant brothers Leroy Kenneth Michaelis and Joseph Henry Michaelis; as well as her great-granddaughter, Autumn Smith.

Virginia was a devoted wife, mom, grandma, aunt, and friend. She supported Dad in his business, Bill’s Refrigeration, managing the books, answering phones, relaying messages over the CB radio—and doing it all while raising their children. She also held a job she loved: driving a school bus for USD 329 for over 35 years. She was always tickled when former bus riders became the nurses caring for her in later years.

She always wanted to be a nurse, and she fulfilled her dream of helping others by becoming a first responder and EMT during the early days of the Wabaunsee County ambulance service. In addition to everything else, she made clothes for her family, canned everything from the garden, and with her sister Ollie, thousands of chickens were butchered every summer (according to us kids) to split between the two families.

Her greatest joy was her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching them perform in school programs, play sports, and grow into adults with children of their own. She had a love for flowers, hummingbirds, and traveling. She also poured her love into handmade gifts—crocheting, tatting, sewing, and making a treasured quilt for each child, grandchild, and some great grandchildren.

Virginia was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Ladies Altar Sodality.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 22298 Newbury Rd, Paxico, Kansas. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Virginia will lie in state at the church, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, followed by the Rosary.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Sacred Heart Ladies Altar Sodality.