Virginia Lee “Ginny” Becker, 92, of Sutherland, passed away at home surrounded by her family on July 28, 2018.

Virginia was born on Aug. 28, 1925, to Carl and Fern Greisen at North Platte where she grew up. She graduated from North Platte High School then attended the nursing program at Baylor University.

In February 1946, Virginia was united in marriage to the love of her life, William James “Bill” Becker, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. Following his discharge from the service they moved to Lincoln, then to Elgin, Illinois, with Bill’s job. The couple had five children and eventually moved to Playa del Rey, California, to enjoy the beach community and the fact they no longer had to shovel snow.

While in Lincoln, Virginia worked as a nurse in the V.A. and vet’s hospital. She went back to school to become a teacher and later earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California. In 1975, Virginia started teaching kindergarten to children in inner-city Los Angeles. She loved teaching and helping people any way she could. Virginia also learned Spanish so she could teach English to those who wanted to learn and had traveled to Costa Rica to help others learn English.

When the kids were younger, Virginia enjoyed baking cookies and cinnamon rolls as treats for her kids. She had a great love for books, reading thousands over the years, and enjoyed music. Virginia had a kind heart for animals and was known for feeding the neighborhood cats, opossums and raccoons, much to her husband’s dismay.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and their son, John Tom; her parents, Carl and Fern Greisen; stepmother, Catherine Calhoun Greisen; and sister, Margaret Little.

She is survived by her children, Jim Becker of Sutherland, Carla Becker of Sacramento, California, William Mark Becker of Morehead City, North Carolina, and Wendy Becker of Sutherland; grandchildren, Stacy, Gus, Michelle, Theresa, Christopher and Michael; great-grandchildren, Katherine, Alexia, Lucas, Skyler, Chase and Carter; and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Sutherland Public Library or donors’ choice. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.

Services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, at the Sutherland Presbyterian Church with Vicar JA Welsh officiating. Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.