Virginia Ann (Lewis) Roe

Virginia Ann (Lewis) Roe, 87, of rural Jewell County passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born August 10, 1931 in rural Morgan County, Colorado at the farm south of Brush.  Her parents were Theodore Edwin Lewis and Geanell Ernestine McClelland who were ahead of the times by meeting their spouse in college. It was the 1920s at York College in Nebraska, and Ted was there to play football.

Growing up on the farm Virginia rode the school bus into Brush, helped with the care of animals, practiced the piano and string bass, and worked hard in all her endeavors underlying a lifelong determination to succeed in any project undertaken.

Virginia was a graduate of Brush High School, a Beetdigger, Class of 1949. She then enrolled in the University of Colorado in education and graduated from CU in 1953.

On July 4, 1951 she had a blind date with Lauren James Roe of Jewell County who was a private in the Army stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.  It was arranged by mutual friends and they drove up Pikes Peak.

After a long engagement because Lauren was deployed overseas they were married on August 2, 1953, at Rankin Presbyterian Church in Brush.  Virginia and Lauren spent the remainder of their sixty-five married years in the hills of northern Jewell County.  Keith Eugene was born in 1954 and Barbara Ilene in 1955.

In 1967 Virginia began her thirty year career as a reading teacher in the Mankato schools.  She was a member of the Kansas Reading Association and enjoyed many years of traveling to national and state conventions.  Young Adult Literature was a passion of hers, and she was always reading the William Allen White selections. Virginia shared her love of reading with her three granddaughters, often gifting them with an array of books and Children’s magazine subscriptions.

Virginia and Lauren loved to wear and collect Native American jewelry and she loved beautiful clothes.  Both incredibly social and beloved by everyone they met, Virginia and Lauren spent years going to dances and family activities.  Virginia loved meeting new people and learning their story.  Her famous line that made us laugh was “…who are your people?”

Tears would always come to Virginia with the mention of her sister Barbara Jean who died of cancer at 46.  She missed her dearly and spoke of their many childhood memories.  Virginia was dedicated to attending activities of her out-of-town nieces and nephews.

Virginia had a long time appreciation and passion for her home state of Colorado and University of Colorado.  She loved anything with a Colorado buffalo or columbine on it.

Virginia and Lauren were season ticket holders for Kansas State University football for thirty years.  As recently as 2009 they attended every home game both decked out in purple.  For most of that time they had the same parking space in the west lot and welcomed the many friends and family who would stop by their tailgates.

Virginia enjoyed being a member of PEO, the Brodstone Memorial Hospital board, and the First Presbyterian Church. She also volunteered at the Superior library.

Virginia’s work ethic and dedication to her family were unmatched. She effortlessly balanced the many farmwife tasks, a teaching career, helping with Keith’s political campaigns, and an impressive garden, which included her beautiful hollyhocks that bloomed every summer.

Most of all, Virginia loved spending time with Lauren, her favorite dance partner, travel companion, and the love of her life. After Lauren’s stroke in 2007, she served as his primary caregiver, and spent every day by his side. In the past few years she visited him daily at Good Samaritan to watch games and read the newspaper together.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Lauren Roe; son, Keith Roe(Bethany) of Mankato; and daughter, Barbara Luhrs of Overland Park.  Her sister-in-law Kathi Lewis of Wilmington, Delaware; her brother-in-law Bill Roe(Verla) of Mankato; grandchildren Victoria Lynch(Kip) of Overland Park; Lauren Luhrs of Kansas City, Missouri; Sasha Kuchinski(Mike) of Derby, Kansas and great grandchildren Rebecca Lynch, Amanda Lynch, Hannah Lynch, and Parker Kuchinski.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, sister Barbara Jean (Lewis) Garnett and brother Theodore Edwin Lewis, Jr.

Visitation will be 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Melby Mortuary, Mankato.  The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at First Presbyterian Church, Superior, Neb., with interment in the Olive Hill Cemetery, rural Jewell County, Kansas.

Memorials may be given in Virginia’s memory to the Mankato Endowment Association general fund c/o State Exchange Bank, P.O. Box 284, Mankato, KS 66956 or the Olive Hill Cemetery, c/o Sherry Koster, 781 150 Rd, Jewell, KS 66949.