Virginia Ann Conklin

Virginia Ann (Gimpel) Conklin of Sioux City died Thursday, October 15, 2020 at a Sioux City skilled care facility.

There will be no local services. A private graveside service will be held in the Craig, Nebraska Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Larkin Chapel.

Virginia Ann Gimpel was born October 12, 1928 at the Tekamah Hospital in Tekamah, Nebraska. Virginia was the only child of Gustav “Gus” Gimpel and Virginia “Virgie” Manetta (Erickson) Gimpel.

“Ginny”, as she was called by school friends, attended her entire school years at Craig Public School. Graduating from high school in 1947, Virginia became the secretary for the superintendent of the County Schools in Tekamah courthouse.

On September 17, 1949 in Craig, Virginia Ann married Douglas Leslie Conklin, a 1946 Craig graduate. The couple lived in the Tekamah-Craig area while Virginia worked at the courthouse and Douglas taught in rural schools in the Macy-Tekamah area. In the fall of 1957, the couple moved from Craig to Sioux City for Douglas’ new teaching position. Virginia focused on being a homemaker and mother to a daughter born in 1951 and a son born in 1960 to her and Douglas.

During these family years, Virginia enjoyed family traveling, Nebraska Sandhills camping and fishing trips, the daily newspaper, gardening, Christmas lights, fall colors, car rides, eating out, and the good western or family television show. Virginia especially cherished being a “Grandma”. She was an Avon sales representative for a few of these years. In November 2005, Douglas died, and Virginia continued to live in their home until her health required skilled care.

Survivors include a son, Todd K. Conklin of rural Moville; a daughter, Lesley Ann Conklin of Florissant, MO; 2 grandchildren, Jordan (David Milos) Conklin and Mitchell (Melissa Campos) Conklin, both of Sioux City, Iowa; 2 great-grandchildren, Gianna and Neveah.