Virginia Rose Feenstra 1931 - 2024

FEENSTRA, CRIPE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/11/2024 at 15:06:04

Sioux City Journal
25 May 2024

Virginia Rose Feenstra

Virginia Rose Feenstra (Cripe), or Ginny, as most knew her, died peacefully on May 18, 2024, at age 92 (although she'd prefer we leave her age out) at home with her family by her side. A Celebration of Life is pending for a later date. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

The oldest of seven children, Ginny was born in a "chicken coop" in Castana, Iowa, on October 5, 1931, to Pearl and Weeden Cripe. She took on a caretaking role for her young siblings from an early age, and married Dale Feenstra on June 16, 1950, when she was just 18 years old, before he was deployed to Korea. The Air Force would eventually bring Ginny and Dale and their young family all over the country and world together, notably Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, Texas, Spain, and England. They adopted Terry in 1954 and Sherri in 1959, their chosen babies who they loved fiercely.

Ginny was known to surprise her family with a new hair color every month, striding into the garden with bright red or platinum blond locks. She had a quick wit, a zeal for life, and was one of the best bridge players in town. She loved curling up with a mystery novel and a blanket to get all snuggly and warm. She had a penchant for royal watching and fashion and would often sketch her own designs. She jitterbugged with the best of them and had an insatiable sweet tooth.

She and Dale settled back in northwest Iowa to enjoy retirement, moving to Sibley in 1978 and finally to Sioux City in 1995, to be close to their precious grand babies. They were intrepid roadtrippers, logging miles in their camper all over the country.

In her death, Ginny joins her husband, her parents, her sisters: Fran Boyer and Barbara Kanengieter, her brothers: Clayton Cripe and Mike Cripe, and her granddaughter, Ashleigh Rose Hepler.

She leaves a huge hole in the hearts of those who survive her, notably her two children and their spouses: Sherri Michaels and her husband Ken of Roanoke, Virginia, and Terry Feenstra and his wife Dr. Kathy Opheim of Sioux City; along with her five grandchildren: Abbey Feenstra of Sioux City, Meredith Feenstra of Washington, D.C., Annie Feenstra of Sioux City, Adam Hepler and his wife Christie of Roanoke, Virginia, and Taylor Hepler of Roanoke, Virginia; four great-grandchildren: Lily Hepler, Isaiah Johnson, Willow Johnson, and Oaklee Davis, all of Roanoke, Virginia; and two siblings: Carl Cripe and Carole Mendez.

She died peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren, enveloped by the family and love she spent her life cultivating. Pushing 100 'til the very end.