Virginia Garza Olson

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her: “Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.” Proverbs 31:27-29

A tender-hearted soul, loving mother, and wife, Virginia Garza Olson pass away January 2nd, 2023 in the winter of her life at the age of 85.

Virginia was born on June 13th, 1937, in Benavides, Texas to German Garza and Maria Christina Guerra. She was the older sister to her late brother German Garza of San Antonio. She graduated from Benavides High School in 1956, where she played the clarinet in band. Not too long after, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Roel Olson Sr of Hebbronville, Texas, on December 30th, 1956. Their love story spans over 54 years of marriage, early into which, saw Roel hitchhiking 27.4 miles from Hebbronville to Benavides and back, just to visit Virginia. Over the years the fruits of their union became apparent. Virginia was a mother of 6. Following the passing of her husband on April 1st of 2010, Virginia never remarried or took a boyfriend. However, she was most recently fond of seeing legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath from time to time on TV commercials, advertising for none other than Medicare ‘Plan C’, which of course at this stage in her life, she already had.

Virginia was a kind and compassionate woman who dedicated much of her life to the care of others, serving as a Registered Nurse at Spohn Hospital Shoreline for 30 years. She earned her license to practice nursing on March 24th, 1961. She was hardworking both at the hospital and at home. Known to her friends as Vicky and as Virgie to her coworkers, Virginia never smoked or consumed alcohol privately or socially. She was a crossword puzzle whiz and an avid reader who owned many books. She was particularly fond of books written by Danielle Steel and Stephen King, and the occasional novel with Fabio on the cover. She was extremely smart, the kind of person who knew a lot about a lot of things, but she was forever humble. Virginia also often wore her heart on her sleeve. She was sensitive and warming. Like most Hispanic mothers, she was known to fling a chancla from time to time, but often missed her target as she was a petite not particularly athletic woman.

Virginia deeply loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. Towards the end of her life, she grew increasingly reluctant to inform her loved ones of her health issues. It was not that she was being prideful or proud. She was just not done being a mother and she didn’t want to be anyone’s burden. Even after 85 years, Virginia never lost her maternal instincts to protect and care for those that she loved the most, and she did so fiercely to the very end. She spent her final days in the care of her children and died due to complications of a broken heart. She was greatly loved and will be missed by many.

Virginia leaves behind her daughter Stella Villalon (and her husband Eulalio); her son Jesse Olson (and his wife Yvette); her daughter Vicky Olson; her son David Olson; her son Mark Olson (and his wife Sylvia); her grandsons Joshua Maldonado, Justin Garcia (and his wife Fallon), Roel Olson III (and his wife Bea), Troy Olson (and his wife Megan), Michael Olson, Orlando Olson, Marlon Maldonado, Mark Olson Jr, Dominik Olson, and Blaise Olson; her granddaughters Alexis Olson, Maylene Velasco, Anastasia Olson, Tiffany Olson, and Katherine Olson; and her great grandchildren Jemma Olson, Marilyn Maldonado, Maddox Maldonado, and Jax Garcia. She is reunited with her parents German Garza and Maria Christina Guerra, her husband Roel Olson Sr., her son Roel Olson Jr., and her younger brother German Garza.

A public visitation for Virginia will be held Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415, with a holy rosary to occur at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur Monday, January 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 7522 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, Texas. An interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the Olson family.