March 26, 1937 – July 22, 2023
Virginia Ann “Ginny” (Epp) 86, passed away, Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. Virginia was born March 26, 1937, in Beatrice, Nebraska to Herman Epp and Opal R (Jackson) Epp, the second child and first of three daughters.
In 1950, Virginia moved with her family from Beatrice to Valentine, Nebraska, where her father became the Chief Engineer for Consumers Public Power District and her mother worked for the Valentine Public Library.
In 1953, Virginia married Robert “Bob” Andrews in Valentine and to this union, two daughters joined the family, Debora K “Debby” in 1955 and Marla M “Mari” in 1956. The summer of 1958 found the young family moving to Vale, Oregon where Bob began teaching.
After teaching Methodist kindergarten in Vale for 7 years and while teaching at Albany, Oregon for 11 years, Virginia returned to school and pursued her dream of becoming a certified elementary school teacher, which was fulfilled when she became the first-grade teacher at Cascades Elementary School in Lebanon, Oregon in the fall of 1979. Virginia retired from the Lebanon School District after teaching at Cascades Elementary for 17 years in 1996.
Virginia and Bob divorced in 1982, and in 1984, Virginia married John Splichal. After John’s death in 1993, Virginia reconnected with an old friend from Valentine, Willis Brown who had married her best friend from Valentine High, Winnie Ward. In Virginia City, Nevada, on March 26, 1996, Virginia and Willis were married thus, beginning the next chapter in their lives. With her retirement in June of 1996, they moved to Mesa, Arizona but almost immediately began travelling in their motorhome throughout the western states, visiting a much larger extended family, as well as numerous friends, seeing some interesting and not so interesting sights, but always enjoying the journey.
Virginia was proceeded in death by her parents; Herman and Opal Epp, her brother, Rodney Epp, his wife Laverna (Larson) Epp, her sister, Jane (Epp) Kreycik, her first husband, Robert Andrews and her second husband, John Splichal. Sister-in-laws, Grace (Brown) Harvey, Mary (Brown) Fischer and Rose (Brown) Herron; Brother-in-laws, Eugene “Bud” Grooms, Lawrence “Pete” Brown, and Marvin Brown.
Virginia is survived by her husband, Willis Brown of Mesa, Arizona; daughter, Debbie (Andrews) Palmer, son-in-law, Rob Palmer of Clovis, California; daughter, Mari Greer, son-in-law, Jeff Greer of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Granddaughters, Casie Hulden and her husband, John Hulden of Oregon City, Oregon, and Rachel Schulz of Vancouver, Washington; Grandson, Lonnie Ireland Jr of Loganville, Georgia. Sister, Linda “Tomi” Epp of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Brother-in-law, Hale Kreycik of Douglas, Wyoming. Great Grandchildren, Payton, and Mackenzie Ireland as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Virginia’s acquired extended family includes; Randy, April and Christopher Brown of Mesa, Kyle Brown and Kathryn Cuiffo of Berkeley, California; Kathy and Mark Fiala of Mesa, Mike and Sara Fiala of Mesa, Nick, Lora, Jackson and Lucas Fiala of Mesa, Doug Fiala of Mesa, Rebecca “Becky” Fiala and Tanner Scibetta of Mesa; Kevin, Leah and Parry Brown of Mesa, Nathan, Gillian, Katie, Kortne and Korbin Brown of Mesa, Malerie, Tracy, Makayla and Liam McGee of Mesa, Eric Brown and Kathy Boi of Mesa, Marissa Martinez of Mesa, Grace, Wyatt and Elsie Hoffman of San Tan Valley, Arizona. Sister-in-laws, Johanna “Jo” (Schaeffer) Brown of Mesa and Mildred (Brown) Grooms of Kearney, Nebraska and Brother-in-law, Norman “Bud” Fischer of Fargo, North Dakota.
Her Christian faith was very important to her and defined her character and demeanor throughout her life. At a young age she joined the Methodist church and was a long-standing member of the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed and was proud to host their circle meetings in her home. A prominent tenant of her life was charity and believed in supporting many worthy causes. She always found ways to give a little to a lot of charitable organizations.
Virginia took immense pride in her large family and enjoyed hearing about the activities and lives of her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She loved to read, enjoyed going to see the latest movies with Jo Brown and friends, cheering on the Arizona Diamondbacks and would not hesitate to put the star players in timeout when they did not perform to her standards. She immensely enjoyed her nightly phones calls with her sister, Tomi, and her granddaughter Casie, where they updated each other on the activities of friends and family. Virginia cared very much for the students she taught and was quick to share humorous stories of her teaching career. We enjoyed her stories about growing up in Beatrice and Valentine. She loved to bake, and her version of ginger snaps; “Ginia Snaps”, which were the best, just ask any of her grandkids! Even though she always said she didn’t like to cook, she was known for her potato salad and would not hesitate to prepare a dish for any occasion or gathering.
The family would like to recognize Casie Hulden and Gillian Brown, two of the best health care advocates and personal nurses that a grandmother could want, and we thank you for your care and devotion.
Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa hosted her memorial services on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. A grave-side service and burial will be at East Lawn Cemetery, Minatare Nebraska, where Virginia will rejoin her parents, Herman, and Opal.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donating to one of Virginia’s favorite charities; St. Mary’s Food Bank, 2831 N. 31st Ave. Phoenix AZ 85009, (www.StMarysFood.org).
