Victoria Veronica Gimla

Victoria Veronica “Vickie” Gimla

June 12, 1942 – August 30, 2025

Victoria Veronica Gimla, lovingly known to most as “Vickie,” of Florence, entered into eternal rest on August 30, 2025, at the age of 83.

Born in Milwaukee, WI, on June 12, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Harry Kosmowski and Alice Rosak Kosmowski. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert P. Gimla; brothers, Harry Kosmowski Jr. and Jerry Kosmowski; and sister, Rose Barutha.

Vickie lived a life marked by generosity, service, and creativity. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose greatest joy was found in her family and in giving to others.

She poured her heart into her community in countless ways. She served as a DEN Mother for her boys’ Cub Scouts, historian for the Widow and Widowers group, and President of the American Legion Auxiliary, where she was honored with a plaque for her outstanding and dedicated service by American Legion Post #1. A proud life time member of the VFW, she also organized a veterans’ Thanksgiving food drive in Florence and was recognized as the 2019 Pee Dee Area Person of the Year for her unwavering commitment to veterans and the betterment of the community.

For 22 years, Vickie lovingly crocheted items for hospice and cancer patients at McLeod Regional Medical Center, gifting warmth and comfort to those in need. In 2024, she was awarded recognition for Most Crafter Hours, logging an incredible 1,952 hours of volunteer work in a single year.

Vickie’s creative spirit touched every part of her life. She worked as Craft Department Manager at Walmart for many years, earning numerous VPI Associate of the Month awards. Outside of work, she was known as a talented cake decorator, avid card maker, and skilled artisan in woodworking, sewing, embroidery, crochet, knitting, and stamp crafting. She delighted in sharing her creations and selling them at art and craft shows.

Her family remembers her as a woman with the largest, most caring heart—always giving and never taking. She touched countless lives with her warmth, kindness, and selfless spirit.

Surviving are her sons, Bruce Sheaffer of Columbia, SC, and Dale Heiden of Florence, SC; daughter, June Sheaffer-Kelly of Florence, SC; stepdaughters, Karla Kelly (Dennis), Marcia Labutski (Steve), and Paula Smith (Dean); one grandchild; nine step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel.

To honor Vickie’s memory, the family encourages others to follow her example by serving their community and showing kindness to all.

Please sign the guestbook for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com