Virginia Woodward

Virginia Woodard, age 96, of Spearfish, South Dakota formerly of Dupree, South Dakota passed away on Monday, March 5, 2018 at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center in Spearfish, South Dakota.

 

Virginia (Anderson) Woodward was born March 27, 1921 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was adopted by Bastian and Minda Anderson. She grew up in Minnesota and South Dakota. Virginia lived with her parents north of Dupree and later the family moved to town. She attended the Clover Leaf and Dupree schools. Virginia married Lawrence Woodward on October 9th, 1937 at the age of 16. The couple had 3 children, Virginia Jean, Beverly Ann and Lawrence Eugene.

 

Lawrence and Virginia’s entire life revolved around their farm. Virginia worked out in the fields and drove the tractors. Many of the hours were shared with her nephew Buster Amundson. Spring time was special to her because of the baby calves. Harvest time and riding in the combine were also favorites of Virginia. Lawrence and Virginia enjoyed bus tours, attending Pioneer Days and hosting the Nebraska Picnic held on their place near Dupree.

Virginia’s hobbies included collecting postage stamps, antiques, and coins just to name a few. She enjoyed making scrapbooks and picture books. Virginia was a huge contributor to the making of the Ziebach County History Book published in 1985. In 2006 she was chosen as Historian of the Year by the Ziebach County Historical Society. She was a 4-H leader for many years and her children followed in her footsteps. Virginia will be remembered for her dedication to recording the Woodward and Anderson family history so future generations will have the knowledge.

 

Lawrence & Virginia purchased a home in Spearfish, SD in 1986 and traveled back and forth between Dupree and Spearfish until 1997 when Lawrence passed away. Virginia maintained both homes until she moved into the Sandstone Assisted Living Center in 2008. Virginia moved to the Dorsett home in 2015. She lived there until her death.

 

Virginia is survived by her three children, Virginia Till, Beverly (Russell) Birkeland and Lawrence Woodward all of Dupree; nine grandchildren Lila (Howard) Petersen, Jay (Mary) Till, Clint (Lee Anne) Birkeland, Doug (Melody) Birkeland, Delbert (Nila) Woodward, Carol (Luke) Perry, Darla Vrooman, George (Lisa) Till, and Suria Woodward, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and twelve great-great grandchildren.

 

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Bastian and Minda Anderson; her husband, Lawrence; her son-in-law, Jerry Till; her daughter-in-law, Marlene Woodward; brothers, Olaf, Alfred, Selmer, Benhard and Carl Anderson; sisters, Bertine Amundson, Edna Ebeling and Mable Larson;one great grandson, Trevor Till and one great granddaughter, Kendi Till and a special nephew, Buster Amundson.

 

Funeral services were Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the United Church of Christ in Dupree. Burial followed at the Dupree Cemetery.

 

Arrangements were under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com