Virginia Dickerhoof

Virginia was born to Ed and Nettie Wilson in Council Grove, Kan., on Dec. 6, 1917. She, her older sister, and two older brothers were raised on a farm. Living in a rural farming area, she rode a horse to school. During her high school years, Virginia lived in town and worked at a local drug store. In May of 1937 she graduated from Eskridge High School. After graduation, she was employed in the Harveyville Drug Store. It was there she met her husband. On Feb. 6, 1939, Virginia married Clyde Dickerhoof of Burlingame, Kan. After the wedding they resided on his mother’s farm just south of Burlingame. Their sons, Daryl and M. Eugene “Gene,” were born there. In 1946, after their land was flooded for three years in a row, the family moved to Trinidad, Colo., where her husband worked in the coal mine and later for the state highway department. Virginia taught piano lessons for more than 50 years and loved the interaction with her students. Any spare moments were spent tying fishing flies, and the income from their sales and her piano lessons helped sustain the family through many mine strikes and lean years. Virginia was active in the Trinidad Methodist Church, serving on the PastornParish Relations Board, as substitute organist, and as superintendent of the Primary Department for 15 years. She joined Eastern Star in 1957 and was organist for many years. She also served as installation musician for DeMolay and Rainbow for Girls. Virginia and Clyde enjoyed traveling to Europe, the Caribbean, and most of the United States including Alaska. Numerous car trips were taken to visit their sons’ families. Family was all-important to Virginia and she hand-made quilts for each of her nine grandchildren. She had a way of making each one of them feel important by cooking them various-shaped pancakes and making them lunches so that they could go fishing with their grandpa. Even as the grandchildren got older, they remained close to her so she could be part of her seven great-grandchildren’s lives. After 56 years of marriage her husband died and Virginia decided to move to Corvallis to be near Gene and his family. She lived in her own apartment at Samaritan Village for the past nine years. While there, she made many wonderful and close friends. Watching football was a lifetime joy and she was delighted when the Beavers beat Cal last weekend. Over time Virginia’s heart weakened, which resulted in her death on Oct. 14. Although Virginia came from humble beginnings, her demeanor was one of grace and dignity. She judged no one and never knew a stranger. She was a great mom, mothernin-law, grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister and four brothers. She is survived by Daryl and Marilyn of Mount Vernon, Wash., and Gene and Noreen of Corvallis; grandchildren Eric and Julie Dickerhoof of Bakersfield, Calif., Scott and Michelle Dickerhoof, Andrew and Kate Dickerhoof, Krista and Paul Hernandez, all of Mount Vernon, Wash., Josh Dickerhoof of Baton Rouge, La., Darren and Kristen Dickerhoof of Corvallis, Matthew Dickerhoof of Bend, Kimberly Dickerhoof of Portland; and seven great-grandchildren, Rebekah, Mercy, Moriah, Rachel, Nathan, Maxwell and Maguire. Other numerous relatives survive her. A memorial service and burial will be in Trinidad, Colo., on Oct. 25. Local arrangements are by McHenry Funeral Home. A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held at Samaritan Village in Corvallis on Sunday, Dec. 9. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to SV Bus Fund or SV House Committee, 285 N.W. 35th St., Corvallis, OR 97330.

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Virginia Dickerhoof

December 6, 1917 - October 14, 2007