Virginia E. Vavricka

Virginia Elizabeth Buss Vavricka died peacefully July 9th 2023 in the early hours of the morning with a smile on her face and a rosary in her hands. She was ready to leave this earth to rejoin the love of her life Glen, her husband. She lived for 96 years, born in Lake City, South Dakota to Christine and Samuel Buss. Her Aunt Cecelia delivered her into this world on September 8, 1926. They moved to Florence, South Dakota when she was three years old and spent her school years and graduated from there. She was a tap dancer, baton twirler, Editor of the school paper and Valedictorian upon graduation. She received two scholarships for Journalism. Her first job was delivering newspapers on her bike. She worked in both her mom’s and Grandma Trautner’s cafés. Learned to drive from her Grandpa Trautner along with her favorite card game Pinochle with her dad. She loved to read and did so most of her life, sharing books with her sister, Deanna. Although 11 years younger, they were inseparable.

When Virginia was 19, she went to Watertown, South Dakota and worked for Swift & Co. She met Glen there and they started their romance. They were married, October 23, 1948 in Florence, S.D. They lived in Watertown raising 4 kids, 1 girl and 3 boys till 1967. Glen was transferred from Swift and Co. to H & H meat packing in Yakima. Several other families made this trip becoming our new family. Especially Joe and Ethel Dailey and their 3 kids becoming neighbors and closest friends. Spent many holidays and summers camping and fishing. Later when all the kids were out of the home, the two couples would travel to Victoria, the ocean and Reno. They had weekly pinochle games along with Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Harry Vavricka with men against the women till midnight. They spent many nights at the V.F.W. with dinners, dancing and special celebrations.

Mom clerked at the Yakima County Courthouse, retiring from there. Mom was a devoted Catholic all her life. Sang in the choir at Holy Redeemer Church for 25 years. She was also a Eucharistic minister. She loved to sing and dance always lighting up a room. Dad and daughter had to get her down off a table at the V.F.W. while she was singing and dancing. She enjoyed life, and like to be in control, earning nicknames of Ginny, Bossy Britches and Sassy Pants. She was generous to her family and for those in need. Over the years donated to military and children’s organizations along with her church. Her most admirable trait was “Forgiveness”. She lived it and encouraged others to do the same.

Virginia is survived by 3 of her 4 children; Glenda (Bob Hester), Kim (Marilou) and Jeff (Julie). Eight Grandkids; Heather, Miles (Tamara), Amy (Jason), Jenna (Jeremy), Zach (Amy), Brian, Brooke (Neil), Breanna (Jason). Five great grandsons; Kaleb, Aiden, River, Justin and Jaxon. Nieces; Kristi and Lisa. Virginia will be reunited with Glen her husband of 75 years this October, her son Terry, Grandson Chad and Sister Deanna.

Thanks to all who cared for mom at Chandler House, Dianna VanderSchor who played pinochle with her every other week, Decon Berger for weekly visits and her wonderful neighbor Norma Braconnier, appreciate all of you. Visitation will be July 17th from 4 – 8 PM at Langervin El Paraiso Funeral Home. Services will be held at Holy Redeemer Church, Tuesday July 18th at 10:00 AM with entombment following at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum in Yakima. A Gathering will follow at V.F.W. to share and celebrate Virginia’s life.

If wanting to donate her interests were St. Jude’s, Birthright of Yakima and the local V.F.W.

Her first prayer Guardian Angel, who she taught her children and grandchildren; Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here: ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen