Virginia Wehrung
Virginia Ann Wehrung, 89, Bismarck, formerly from Watford City, N.D., died peacefully and with great dignity on Dec. 20, 2014, at Sanford Health St. Vincent’s Continuing Care Center, with family at her bedside.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Darrel Aleson officiating. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service.
Virginia and her twin sister, Patricia, were born at home on Sept. 16, 1925, in Fresno, Calif. She was the daughter of Howard and Ila (Boatman) Malcomb. She had one older brother, Robert “Bob”. The family moved to Long Beach, Calif., where she was raised and educated, graduating from high school in 1943. She often reminisced about a devastating earthquake that destroyed her high school. They finished the school year on the beach at makeshift desks and tables.
After graduation from high school, she became “Rosie the Riveter” and worked in the shipyards of Long Beach, where she helped to provide for her family and country. Virginia met her first husband, Charles A. Miller “Bud, Chuck” just after World War II ended in Walla Walla, Wash. They were married on Aug. 7, 1945, and returned to Bud’s home, near Upham, N.D., where they farmed and milked cows for many years. Rural life was a great transition from the big city where she was raised. She told of milking cows between feeding babies! Their three children, Carol, Peggy, and Kenny, were born in Minot.
Virginia and Chuck moved to Watford City in 1966. They owned and operated the North Star Motel. After her first marriage, Virginia went on running the motel. She was to find a great love again and married Christ Wehrung on Nov. 26, 1976. After selling the motel, she worked at Hardware Hank and the Senior Citizen Center. Christy was a great golfer and Virginia found she needed to learn the game so she could keep up with him! They enjoyed many golf games and trips with their good friends. After retiring, Virginia and Christy enjoyed traveling to see their children, with Australia being their greatest adventure.
Christy died April 15, 2006. Virginia moved to the Horizon Assisted Living Center in Watford City shortly after his death. She then moved to St. Vincent’s Care Center in Bismarck in February 2012. She enjoyed her life there, being close to Peggy and seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as often as possible. She loved reading, playing bingo, and bragging about her family, to whomever would listen!
Virginia is survived by her daughter, Peggy (Greg) Stavn, Bismarck; granddaughter, Keri (Andy) Jones, and their children, Charlie and Lydia, Eagan, MN; grandson, Breht Stavn, Scottsdale, AZ; her brother, Bob Malcomb; her best friend and sister-in-law, Eleanor Wehrung. She is also survived by her stepdaughters, Carol (Lee) Calkins, their children and grandchildren, and Susan (John) Kleinsasser, their children and grandchildren; her grandson, Christian Wehrung; and her daughter-in-law, Kerryn Wehrung and her children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Christy; her daughter, Carol; her son, Kenny; her step-son, Duane; her sister, Pat; her parents; and many other family and friends.
Go to www.parkwayfuneral.com to share memories of Virginia and sign the online guestbook.