Virginia Louise Johnson (Closner) was born October 12, 1925, in Oregon City. When she left home she moved into an apartment with Gene, a childhood friend. Then went to work as a cashier at Montgomery Wards. She married Alvin Orville Johnson on May 1, 1943, after being introduced by a girlfriend. They spent two years in Reno, Nevada while Al was in the Army Air Corps.
She loved the outdoors. They spent their lives hunting, fishing, gardening, camping and just enjoying the beauty of it all. Virginia (Ginger) loved her dahlias and supplied the church with bouquets in the summer and fall.
She was a witness to so much change and history in her life. When we asked her how the depression and war affected her family? She replied, "By living on a farm we had everything we needed." Her childhood was filled with swimming in the creek, sleep outs in the hay fields (until they got frightened), walking down the road to visit grandparents, and always had a pet(s).
Virginia loved to cook dinner, and they always ended with a dessert. She said, "I have to top it off." She made the best pies! Her gift of cooking carried over to helping in the church kitchen with potlucks and meals for those in need.
She had an older brother, Vernon, and sister, Eva. Eva and Ginger would play marathon scrabble games. Neither would give into the other. Ginger and Al had two sons, Wayne and Harold. They were blessed with four granddaughters: Taina, Christina, Anne and Katie. The girls loved their sleepovers with their grandparents. Playing games until late. Grandpa would go off to bed and leave Grandma and the girls up to all hours telling stories and giggling. They also have ten great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Virginia has been impatiently waiting to join her Lord & Savior. We know she would not want us to grieve over her for she had a full life and she is now starting a new adventure.