Virginia Alft is surprised with a birthday party on March 22 in Wisconsin Rapids. Submitted photo.

For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Family members and Wisconsin Rapids residents didn’t let the COVID-19 threat scare them away from celebrating Virginia Alft’s 93rd birthday on March 22.

Family members had planned a larger gathering to celebrate Virginia’s birthday but had to cancel it due to the new coronavirus guidelines.

Alft is a lifetime resident of the Wisconsin Rapids area and has 10 children, 20 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

Family members as well as several community members, including Rapids Mayor Zach Vruwink, came together and held a parade in her honor, of course, abiding by social distancing guidelines.

“Shows in a time of great challenge and uncertainty we can still be kind and adapt,” Vruwink said.