Virginia Helen Sprague passed this life and went to be with her Lord on July 26th, 2015. She was born in Perryville, Missouri on January 14, 1925 to August and Rosa Moore Kiefer, the youngest of 21 siblings where she grew up on her parents large farm holdings and attended rural school.
As a young woman she worked at a Hospital in St. Louis, and then during World War II she worked in a defense plant in Long beach, California. After the war she returned to St. Louis as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell in St. Louis where she was married to Richard Papin. They later divorced.
Needing a change, she came to Montana to visit her sister. While here she met her husband to be, Harold Sprague and they were married in 1949 and settled on their ranch where they lived and raised their three children. Her husband, Harold passed away in 1986 after which Virginia continued to operate the ranch, living there in her log home without the benefit of electricity until 1995 when she moved into Colstrip and bought a house with all the comforts we take for granted. She continued to raise cattle on the ranch until she turned 80 at which time she sold the family brand and cattle to her grandson Ernie.
Virginia was a member of St. Margaret Mary’s Parrish in Colstrip and also well known for the quilts she made for many area children. Virginia was also proud of the fact that she went back to obtained her high school diploma.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 20 of her 21 siblings. She is survived by her sister Alice Stanhope, daughter Betty (Jerry) Mort of Billings, and son’s Robert “Bob” (Kathy) Papin and Roger (Bonnie) Sprague, as well as 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchildren.
Pallbears will be her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Friday July 31, 2015
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish
Colstrip, MT 59323
Rosary Service
5:00 pm
Friday July 31, 2015
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish
Colstrip, MT 59323
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 pm
Saturday August 1, 2015
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish
Colstrip, MT 59323
Luncheon
Immediately following the Mass
Saturday August 1, 2015
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish
,
Rite of Committal
Following the Luncheon
Saturday August 1, 2015
Lee Cemetery
Colstrip, MT 59323
Service Schedule
Visitation
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Friday July 31, 2015
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish
Colstrip, MT 59323
Rosary Service
5:00 pm
Friday July 31, 2015
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish
Colstrip, MT 59323
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 pm
Saturday August 1, 2015
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish
Colstrip, MT 59323
Luncheon
Immediately following the Mass
Saturday August 1, 2015
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish
,
Rite of Committal
Following the Luncheon
Saturday August 1, 2015
Lee Cemetery
Colstrip, MT 59323
Share
Patti Crosby says
Roger & Bonnie,
So sorry to hear about Virginia’s passing. She was a sweet lady.
Jack and Carol says
So sorry to hear this. She was a nice lady.
Tom and Shirley Skinner says
We were so sorry to hear this news. She was always such a sweet person and always ready with a smile and a visit!
Merry and Armando says
So Sorry for your to hear about the loss . Our prayers are with our family.
Mary Ann Bailey Lammers says
Betty, Bob, and Roger–I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I enjoyed reading about her life; didn’t know much of the details until now. Seeing her at the CHS reunion last summer was a special treat. I am sure you know that you were blessed to have her in your life for so long. The memories will sustain you, but she will be missed every single day. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Mary Ann Bailey Lammers
Philomath, Oregon
Dale Kiefer says
Aunt Gin was one of my favorite aunts; she always had a smile and kind word to share. She was a true survivor of a difficult lifestyle that so many people endured trying to raise a family without the modern conveniences we take for granted. To me, she will always be the “Pioneer Woman” with twinkling blues eyes that matched the blue skies over Montana. May the Lord Bless her family and friends who loved her and may He give them peace in their hearts knowing that she rests now with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My deepest condolences to her family.
Donnie and Paula Peplow says
May your hearts be filled with many warm memories of Virginia.
Wanda Bixby says
Betty Bob and Roger my deepest sympathy we had such great times growing up and lots of good memories our families always had such great times together bet our parents are enjoying each other again may God Bless you all
Clara jo says
Sorry to of your loss Roger and Bonnie and family . May all your wonderful memories fill your hearts everyday . God Bless
Tom and Gerry Sutterer says
Betty, Bob and Roger our condolences to the family. She was a favorite aunt who always had a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Last spoke with her in early March of this year and had a wonderful visit with her about 4 years ago. I’m sure the Lord has a special place for her. May your hearts be filled with warm memories. God bless you all.
Gracie Ann Waples Hill says
Bob, Betty, and Roger….special blessings to you all. She always took time to visit my Mom in Colstrip and contributed much to history of the area. Always admired how she stayed active in her community and loved by so many. Prayers and love to all of you
Pam & Ken Kania says
We were very saddened to hear of Virginia’s dying. Both Ken and I have many memories of her and Harold especially during time of being involved in the MT Fiddlers. I often visited her at the ranch and lots of good talks together. She was a woderful and wise woman! We both want to offer our sympathy to all the family. Please know that you will be in our thoughts & prayers during this time of grief for everyone who loved her and cared about her. May our comfort be in being with Harold in the sight of the Lord!
Sincerely,
Pam & Ken
Deb Bartholomew says
Roger and Family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. Treasure her memories as She will always be a Treasure in your hearts and never forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Betty and Jerry Mort says
Thank you all for your kind thought and prayers for Mom. She left us early on Sunday morning and was in no pain and went suddenly and peacefully. We will certainly miss her, but have lots of pictures and memories of her that we will treasure.
Fr. Paschal Siler says
My prayers are with Alice,Betty, Bob, Roger as you honor your sister and mother. I have so good memories of her time coming to Services in Lame Deer and the times I use to help at Colstrip. Also was inspired by her faith when I would occasionally bring her Holy Communion at the ranch. She loved being there and found it hard to move to Colstrip. God grant her eternal life, and each of you comfort, hope and all that is needed at this time of loss for one who has been with you for so many years.
Fr. Paschal
Dennis and Louise Davenport says
We’re sorry to hear. She was quite a character and a lovely woman.
Larry Egan says
Virginia made the world a better place….She is a tough act to follow! Via Con Dios Gin…!!!
Connie Bouslaugh says
Saddened to hear of Aunt Gin’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, Bobby, Betty, and Roger especially. I’m sure she and Uncle Harold are “cuttin a rug” by now.
The Costillas says
Betty, Jerry, Jodi and Jeff (and family),
We are so sorry for your loss and wish comfort in the form of many happy memories for each of you. We love you and have hugs ready and waiting!
Love,
Joe, Anne, Mayra and Elia
Jim and Janet Flanders says
To Virginia Sprague’s extended family,
We are sorry to hear about Aunt Gin’s passing. It has to be comforting to know she left this world so peacefully in the early morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family. We wish we could be there with you.
Jim and Janet Flanders
Roger Sprague & Family says
Thanks for all the kind words and prayers, they are very much appreciated. And a Special thanks to all those wonderful folks in Colstrip who did so much for my Mother over the years. Each of you individually and collectively added so much to her life. You were her family too. May you be richly blessed for your acts of kindness to her.
Mike & Marian Sioux says
Our Prayers & condolences are with Betty, Roger , and Bob.
Elaine Egeland says
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a great person and will be missed very much.
Katherine Sprague Heying says
My condolences to each of you. Many good memories of those by-gone years. Good to read that the ranch continues in the family. Please know prayers are with you and yours.
Kate and family; Sabra and family