Virginia Hoagland was born in Craig, Colorado, on August 27, 1932 to Luella Yost and Olaf Colwick. She grew up surrounded by her mother’s family in the Craig and Meeker area of Colorado. Her father worked for the Texaco Refinery and passed away when she was 15. She forged life-long bonds with her father’s extended family in and around the Norse, Texas area, as well as with relations in Norway. She fondly told stories of her step-grandmother Effie’s nurture and how everyone loved her. Virginia’s mother had given her the first name of Willa as a tribute to Effie’s daughter, who had died young. However, that name was rarely used; instead, she went by the casual name of Virginia or more intimately, Ginger.
As a teenager, she received a blue ribbon for a beautifully sewn garment she entered in the “Make it Yourself with Wool” competition. After graduation from Moffat County High School in 1951, she attended Colorado Women’s College. She took full time employment as an operator for American Telephone and Telegraph where she met her husband of 57 years, John (Jack) Hoagland. They built a home in Littleton where their three children were born. In 1963, Jack became Manager of Mountain Bell’s telephone service for Douglas, Kiowa, and Elbert counties. The family then moved to Castle Rock, where Virginia began volunteering for activities with her children. She became very busy in all kinds of functions, including school, 4-H, church, and many other activities in which her children participated- often taking a leadership role.
In addition to being an incredibly dedicated mom, Virginia had a handful of other jobs throughout the years. She provided daycare in her home, worked part-time for the Douglas County School District for 10 years, and worked in the office of A&M Excavation in Castle Rock. She had been the right-arm to Nikki Mead, who is credited for founding the first public library in Castle Rock. Virginia was honored by receiving one of the town’s very first library cards; The first six went to Nikki’s immediate family, with card number seven going to Virginia. Nikki rewarded those who volunteered using hours; those with the most hours received lower numbered cards.
Virginia was an expert and avid seamstress. She sewed nearly all of the clothing for her children, as well as herself, from infancy through high school. She often made matching outfits for Cindy and her dolls. She enjoyed all the fad crafts of the 60’s; ceramic painting, felt flower creations, tube painting onto pellon, macramé, quilting, knitting, crochet, needlepoint and embroidery, to name a few. She loved to keep her hands busy, and was meticulous in all she made!
Virginia was frequently found in the kitchen baking up a storm. For several years, she created professional wedding cakes. She had a passion for gardening and growing flowers. Her grandchildren were especially fond of the pickles she would make with them. She loved camping and being outdoors in the summer. A frequent helper to Jack, she worked hard shoveling, painting, constructing a fence or building or driving a tractor.
Virginia was very active with the First United Methodist Church in Castle Rock, and when she and Jack moved to Canon City in 1982 her love for involvement in the church moved with her. She enjoyed women’s retreats and Bible study opportunities. She served as a deacon and an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Canon City, and also as a Commissioner to the Presbytery in Pueblo. Written in the margins of all of her several beloved bibles is a lifetime’s worth of thoughts and insights, which have become a lasting legacy for her grandchildren.
Her death was a shock and surprise to everyone. She slipped into a coma and was transported SkyRidge Medical Center early afternoon on Monday, October 11, and never regained consciousness. The following morning (October 12, 2010) she peacefully passed away with her family surrounding her. Virginia was 78 at the time of her death. She leaves her husband John, sister Maxine, daughter Cindy (Pieter) Tackenberg, sons David and Don (Jay) Hoagland, granddaughters Kristena (Shane) Heiter, Johanna (Joe) Bockenfeld, Virginia (Eric) Herzberg, and Sonja Hoagland, and great-granddaughters Gwen and Ana Herzberg.
Services celebrating her life will be held on Monday, October 18 at Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Funeral Home in Castle Rock. Viewing will begin at 12:30 and continue until 2 pm, when the funeral service will start.The service will be officiated by the Reverend Michael Knauff who is the current pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Castle Rock. A reception will follow at the nearby Pegasus Restaurant. We encourage you to please share your memories and remembrances on this website. Thank you.
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