VIRGINIA LEE THAYER was born March 30, 1920, on the farm near Beaver City, Nebraska to Homer and Polly (Oldham) Young).  She passed away Monday, May 9, 2011, at A.J. Merrick Manor in Fremont, Nebraska, at the age of 91 years.

The family moved to Beaver City, where she attended school through the fourth grade. Then they moved to Hendley. Virginia was confirmed at the Methodist Church in Hendley. She graduated from Hendley High School in 1937. Virginia attended Kearney State Teacher’s College for two years and later completed her teaching degree at Midland College in Fremont.

On July 9, 1939, Virginia and Gilbert Edward Thayer were united in marriage in Norton, Kansas. They had two daughters, Emily Ann and Patricia Lee. They farmed west of Hendley for 14 ½ years before moving to a farm near Lyons in 1954. In 1960, they moved to a farm west of Oakland and in 1980, moved into Oakland. Gilbert passed away October 31, 2002. In 2004, Virginia moved to Nye Square in Fremont, Nebraska.

Virginia taught at Tranmer School from 1954-1956, Divide Center School from 1956-1960, and fifth grade at Oakland Public School from 1960-1985, when she retired from teaching.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gilbert; daughter and son-in-law, Emily Ann Rogers and Delwin Rogers.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patty and Jim Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska; 7 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, May 13, 2011, 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Oakland with Rev. Curt Hineline officiating.

ORGANIST:  Sue Beckner

VISITATION: Thursday, May 12, 2011, 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 - 7 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation Friday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

CASKET BEARERS:  Great Grandsons, Obadiah Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Daniel Rogers, Jason Parcel, Austin Parcel, Derek Juracek, Patrick Baldwin, Matthew Anderson, Martin Anderson

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery, Lyons, Nebraska

In lieu of flowers Memorial may be directed to the First Baptist Church, Oakland, NE and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Nebraska Affiliate, 8610 Brentwood Drive #3, La Vista, Nebraska 68128

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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