She was born October 27, 1922 to Ella McFadden and William JC Herd and was raised in Arlington. Her father died when she was 12 years old and her mother supported the family as a seamstress for the local dress shop. She was the older sibling of 2 girls and they often helped their mother in the shop.
In 1947, Mom worked for the Army Depot in Hermiston as an accountant where she met her husband, Clarence. She later worked at Northwest Livestock Auction for their weekly sales and continued to work there part time for the next 30 years.
As a young bride she and her husband homesteaded South of the Army Depot and started a family. Their home had no electricity and was very rustic. They later moved to a small farm in Hermiston and ran the Shell Oil distributorship. Virginia was the bookkeeper and had the task of keeping the business records.
Clarence and Virginia owned several farms and businesses over the years and she kept immaculate records. She was always ready to lend a hand. She raised bottle calves, drove tractors, vaccinated cattle, and always had a delicious and substantial lunch where friends, family, and employees were always welcome at the table.
Her grandchildren were always treated to “fun on the farm”. They fished for Gambusia in the water trough, had ponies to ride, and learned to drive a stick shift. She loved to spend time with all of them.
Mom worked hard her whole life and her family was everything. Virginia is survived by her son, Vernon, his wife Suzi, their children, Greg, Kristen, and Chance and her son, Gary, his wife Casey, and their children Nikki (Casey) and Cody.
Her family has organized a memorial celebration of her life at 4:30 P.M. on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at the Port of Morrow, Boardman. A private family burial will be held at Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Irrigon at a later date.
Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Burns Mortuary of Hermiston.
