Virginia Vanderburg

Virginia Vanderburg

ARLEE – Virginia Vanderburg, 75, of Arlee, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2013, at her home of renal cell cancer.

She was born on May 26, 1938, in StilIwell, Okla., to John and Bertha Asbill. She lived with her family on their farm and was educated in Sallisaw and Roland, Okla., and Lawrence, Kan. Virginia was a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. She shared over 50 years of her life with her husband Joseph and would often say "when you have been together as long as we have and you get tired of looking at each other in the evening you just go to bed". She came to Montana from Dallas, Texas, with her husband and together they raised their four children in Arlee.

Affectionally known as "Grandma Arlee" by her beloved grandchildren she made her home their place of fun and the kids loved being at her side and enjoying her company. She never missed her grandson Lucas's football games, the children's basketball games or the end of school year field days. Any event for her grandchildren you would find her in attendance. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. Family was everything to Virginia.

She enjoyed gardening and every spring would plant flowers and more flowers. Her flower gardens were carefully designed and every year she would add something new. She was known for her beautiful traditional beadwork and learned the art of beading from Alice Moran. Today her work is proudly worn by members of the Crow Nation during the annual Crow Fair Parade. Other fine items are in a private collection.

Sewing, crocheting, and knitting for family and friends was a favorite pastime and she would design something based on your favorite color. When her girls were young she made pretty dresses for them and they had the best dressed Barbie Dolls. When her son was in grade school she would let him drive the blue Chevy truck from the school bus stop even though he could barely see over the steering wheel. Later on she refused to ride with him. Another favorite pastime was talking on the phone and spending time with best friend Juanita "Deeda" Adams. The two of them would make you laugh just to sit and listen to their conversation and they would tease each other constantly.

Survivors include her husband, Joseph; daughters, Sherita, Cheryl, Vanessa and her son, Joe; her sister Thelma Waconda of Albuquerque, N.M., and her grandchildren, Brandon, Joetta Lauren, Ridge, Danielle, Malia, Lucas, Dana and Cody. She is also survived by her nieces, Bertha Lee, Kay and Kim who were like sisters. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Jerome and Agnes Vanderburg, two sisters and three brothers.

A very special thank you to Dr. Garrick Simmons, Dr. Alan Thomas, Indian Health Service of St. Ignatius, 5 floor nursing staff at St. Patrick Hospital, Neal Adams and to all who came to visit or call.

A reception for Virginia will be on Monday, July 8, 2-4 p.m. at the Arlee Community Center. Please join her family for a time of visiting with old and new friends.




Read Virginia Vanderburg's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.