Virginia F. Kiepke was born Jan. 23, 1920, in Mitchell, S.D., and went to her heavenly home on June 18, 2023. Virginia was the third child of William and Bertha (Rider) Lingscheit. Her parents, siblings (Ronnie, Syb, Joyce, Bonnie) husband, Elmer and son, Gary preceded her in death. Virginia is survived by her brother, Ralph of Walnut Grove, Mo.; children, Robert (Rhonda), Gary (Cathy), Theodore (Mary deceased in 2004; current spouse Carol), and Patricia Ann (Thomas McCabe). Elmer and Virginia were blessed with 11 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Virginia spent her school years in Parkston and Draper, S.D. On May 9, 1942, Virginia and Elmer J. Kiepke married in Mitchell, S.D. Elmer entered the U.S. Army initially assigned to Fort Leonard, Texas, travelled to California for his World War II assignment in the Pacific Theater. Virginia with her two infant sons (Bob and Gary) remained in California while Elmer served overseas. Upon returning from the war, Elmer and Virginia moved back to South Dakota and eventually settling in Arizona where Elmer worked for Bell/Western States/Continental Telephone Company. Virginia’s favorite activity was dancing, and she and Elmer glided effortlessly across many a dance floor. Virginia wore many hats: wife, mother, lunch counter manager, librarian, post office clerk, cashier, waitress, secretary and treasurer of her local church, a periodic exercise leader at the Atria Chandler Villas where she lived for over 28 years after Elmer passed over into eternal life. She cherished her most important roles as a loving wife to Elmer and a nourishing, encouraging, consoling mother to her children, Bob, Gary, Ted, Patty. Virginia’s advice to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren: “Enjoy life, be happy with what you have and be content with what you are able to do. Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself and your mistakes.” Internment will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 15, at the Show Low Cemetery, located at 240 E. Adams in Show Low. In lieu of flowers please consider a charitable donation in memory of Virginia: Disabled American Veterans https://www.dav.org/ or mail to VA Regional Office, 3333 N. Central Ave., Ste 1053, Phoenix, Ariz., 85012-2402; or Americare Hospice & Palliative Care, 1212 N Spencer, Unit 2, Mesa, Ariz., 85203.
