Virginia Lee Carter was born on November 5, 1946, in Stratton, Colorado to David and Ruby Heinrichs. She was baptized on September 15, 1957, and lived her life for our Father every day. They lived on her grandparents’ farm in Joes, Colorado her entire life. It was in Joes that she met the love of her life, Marion Carter, at a school function and one short week after she graduated high school the two were married on May 24, 1964, at the Mennonite Church.
Marion and Virginia resided in Burlington, Colorado where they began their family. They were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Susan, in September 1965. After a move to Colby, KS for Marion’s work, they were again blessed with another daughter, Rhonda, two short years later. Finally, the family returned to Burlington and celebrated the birth of their third daughter, Monica, in 1970. Virginia enjoyed being a homemaker and sheloved to sew. Every Easter the girls looked forward to the dresses she would make for them, and she even madea matching one for herself.
In 1975, Marion and Virginia bought the Kirk Locker and spent the next 30 years of their life providing
personal, custom meat processing that was loved and appreciated by all customers. Virginia worked alongside Marion in the business, managing the books, wrapping, cleaning and organizing customer orders. Her grandchildren have many fond memories of visiting the Locker, where she always kept snacks in the walk-in freezer for them and often let them take change from the register to buy candy at the grocery store. In addition to their work, Marion and Virginia enjoyed traveling the country as they both served officer roles for the local and state Lions Club. In this role, they volunteered, advocated and worked to build up their community through various activities and projects.
Virginia dedicated her life to her immediate and extended family. Everyone was important to her and she had a special way of making everyone she came in contact with feel special. She had a special bond with her mother, Ruby. They were quite the pair, especially when they started speaking German to each other. Virginia loved Marion fiercely and would do anything to make sure he had everything he needed. Not every day was easy, but Virginia showed her daughters and granddaughters the power of a strong and faithful wife. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren with everything she had and would travel as often and as far as possible to spend time with them. Virginia was known for her meaningful texts and calls to let them know she was always thinking of them. She was always willing to give a good back tickle or strong hug whenever they asked!
She was a pillar of our family and exemplified 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, “Love is kind, good, steadfast and faithful” and her love in the hearts of her family will truly never end.
Virginia loved nature and appreciated the beauty the Lord gave us to enjoy each day. She was known for taking beautiful pictures of her flowers, and every sunrise and sunset she could catch. Although she didn’t necessarily love cooking, when she made a meal for her family it was always delicious because it was made by her.
Her loved ones will continue to feel her presence every time the sky is lit up with gorgeous pinks and oranges, or when they see a bright lime green wall (her favorite color), or when they taste a chocolate chip cookie, always knowing “Grandma Ginny’s are better!” They will gain comfort in knowing she has always watched over us all and will continue to do so from her heavenly perspective.
Virginia is survived by her husband, Marion Carter (Kirk); children Susan & Garvin Hill (Joes), Rhonda & Danny Thomas (Lockney, TX), and Monica & Rick Stramel (Goodland, KS); grandchildren Brady & Kayla Hill (LaSalle, CO), Toby & Caralyn Hill (Joes), Nichole & Kyle Schmalzried (Tulia, TX), Kayla & Jon Sherman (Lockney, TX), Seth Stramel and Kasey Stramel (Goodland, KS); great grandchildren Daymn, Emerson, Amelia & Reagan Hill; Hadley Schmalzried; Scarlett & Archie Hill; and Aspen, Aubrey & Thomas Sherman; brother Bobby & Gloria Heinrichs (Joes); 4 brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
Virginia is preceded in death by her parents David & Ruby Heinrichs and granddaughter Jesse Hill.
2023-11-10