Virginia E. Wagemann, 93, Dickinson, died Wednesday, December 9, 2020 in Dickinson. Virginia’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. William Ruelle as celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan with Deacon Jerry Volk presiding. Visitation will be on Monday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson.
Virginia E. Bernard was born on May 10, 1927 to John and Ellen (Swearingen) Bernard in Hecla, S.D. where she was an only child and thus became very close to her cousins. After graduating from high school in 1944, rural teachers were needed so Virginia received training to teach in country schools for grades one through eight. Virginia often commented that part of her education included how to make the fire in the wood burning stove to heat the school all day. She took this job very seriously using so much wood that it had to be restocked in order to last through the winter months!
Virginia married Harold Wagemann on June 5, 1950 and to this union eight children were born. Harold and Virginia lived primarily in Tioga, having moved there in 1960. Virginia maintained the household and worked occasional small jobs to earn a little Christmas money such as working the small city library, making and selling Barbie Doll clothes, etc. She began working at the Tioga Community Hospital as a Nurses Aide in 1975, a job she cherished for the next 30 years.
Virginia was active in many organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary, Senior Citizens, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and more. Virginia loved being busy with her crocheting, reading books, quilting and playing cards. She loved when family came to spend time so that she could cook for them and play more card games!
Virginia moved to Dickinson in 2005 and maintained her own home until 2018 when she moved into Edgewood Hawks Point. Although she hated not having her own residence, she made the best of things by continuing to keep herself busy and making new friends. With the Covid restrictions in place, it was obvious to family that Virginia was losing her battle with staying healthy and after a fall (broken hip) she was moved to St. Benedict’s Living Center for a brief stay before her death which was at her daughter’s home with family at her side.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Harold and is survived by daughters, Barbara (Gary) Lacher, Cynthia (Leonard) Fretland, Linda (Walt) Wiggs, Marlys (Ivan) Bachamp and four sons, Bruce, Joe, Pat (Michelle), and Mark. She has 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
