Virginia was born April 13, 1923, in Sharon Springs. Kansas, and died there on March 2, 2022. She was a resident of Wallace County Community Care Center for the last several years. The family wishes to thank John Kennedy and his staff for the tremendous care she received, especially considering the recent challenges from COVID and staff shortages.
Virginia was born to Howard and Nina Bates, following a brother (Warren), and in 1930, the family moved to a farm south of Sharon Springs. They survived the “Dirty '30s” and moved back into town in 1944. She had attended WCHS and graduated in 1940 as valedictorian of her class. She attended Hutchinson Business School for a short time and returned home to work as an assistant cashier at the People’s State Bank.
On October 2, 1946, Virginia married Charles “Irish” McNerny. They had two children, Nancy and Matt. They lived on Ferlen Avenue from 1948. Virginia belonged to the United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer many years. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary. She worked again at the Peoples State Bank in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Virginia is survived by her son Matt (Michele) of Denver, CO and daughter Nancy Wells (Bill) of Helena, MT; two grandchildren: Jennifer Wampler (Terry) of Alta, Wyoming and Eric Wells (Emily) of Boise, Idaho; two great grandchildren: Charlie and Henry Wells of Boise; and manynephews and nieces and their families. Ione McNerny Brown of Sharon Springs was Virginia’s high school classmate and sister-in-law and friend for over 85 years. Virginia will be buried next to Irish in the Sharon Springs Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held later this year.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Sharon Springs United Methodist Church or the Wallace County Community Care Center and may be sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Sharon Springs, KS.