Virginia Agnes Wilken

Virginia was born on January 24, 1940 in Millville, Minnesota to John and June Maas, who preceded her in death. Virginia's sister Barbara also preceded her in death.

Although Virginia was born in Minnesota, she grew up in Waterloo, lowa, graduating from West High in the city. Virginia then proceeded to nursing school at Allen Memorial Hospital where she received her Registered Nurse diploma in 1961. While in Nursing School, part of her training was at Chicago's Cook County Hospital, where on one weekend, she met her husband George. At the time, George was in Weather Observer school at Chanute AFB at Rantoul, Illinois and was in tor the weekend.

Virginia and George married on March 4, 1962, and took up residence in Austin, Texas, where Virginia got an RN position at Breckenridge Hospital in the city and George continued in the U.S. Air Force.

George was then transferred back to Chanute AFB in 1963, where their first son, Eric, was born. George was discharged from the Air Force in 1964 and they moved to DeKalb, Illinois for George to attend Northern Illinois University. Virginia was employed as an RN at DeKalb County hospital.

After George's graduation, Virginia and George moved to Rockford, Illinois where he was employed by the National Weather Service. Their second son, Curt, was born in Rockford. Several moves to Chicago, Omaha and finally Little Rock came with George's continuing with the National Weather Service. Virginia then served 26 years at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock and eventually, Virginia and George retired in Little Rock.

Virginia's favorite activities included being a member of a garden club and attending the various sessions they had, gardening, camping and travelling. She wished to visit as many ornamental gardens as possible, wherever they might be. Travels were made to Butchert Gardens in western Canada, Queens Garden in eastern Canada, the lush vegetation of Honolulu, Hawaii and on their final trip, they visited Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, Virginia filled one of her "bucket list" items, that of zip-lining through the forest. She enjoyed going to Orlando, Florida or Carlsbad, California on her birthday for many years, primarily for the warm weather. Unfortunately, on a Spring visit to Natchez, MS in 2015, known for its beautiful flower displays and tours, the COPD that had been coming on finally made itself known and she battled it for the next nine years.