Virginia Elsie Oestreich

Virginia Elsie Pare Oestreich March 12, 1936 ~ November 5, 2014 Virginia (Gini) Oestreich, 78, passed away in her home in East Wenatchee on November 5, 2014. She was born in Peshtigo, WI, on March 12, 1936, to Arthur and Ruth Geyer Pare. Virginia developed her love of travel and the outdoors during her childhood, accompanying her family as her father's job took them through 16 northwestern states and Canada by the time she entered high school. In an article published when Virginia was a freshman, she recounted distinct memories of Utah, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, Michigan and Minnesota. The family settled in Columbus, WI, where Gini graduated from Columbus High School in June of 1954. Just a year later, on June 25, 1955, Virginia married the love of her life, Lloyd Oestreich in a ceremony in Beaver Dam, WI. The newly married couple moved to Washington State, settling first in Seattle, where Virginia began her career in accounting. In 1971, they bought their dream home, an old farmhouse in Gig Harbor. Virginia learned to drive their little John Deere tractor (only driving it into the barn wall that very first time), and she and Lloyd spent many happy years restoring the house, gardening, canning, cooking, entertaining and enjoying the company of friends and family. Virginia also took up writing poetry and creating needlework and ceramics, bringing beauty into their home. It was during these years that Thanksgiving became Virginia's favorite holiday, as she opened their home each year to share their good fortune with dozens of guests. Virginia and Lloyd also continued to enjoy traveling. They bought a camper and a boat (the Gini Mai) and spent many wonderful days camping and fishing throughout the northwest with each other, family and friends, and their dog Shep. These travels included the Central Washington area, and Virginia later remembered she and Lloyd fell in love with Lake Chelan, Leavenworth and the Wenatchee Valley. When a position opened with the City of East Wenatchee in 1989, Virginia applied and was hired as Clerk/Treasurer for the city, a position she held until her retirement in 1998. After her retirement, Virginia's energies continued to benefit her community through her hours of volunteering at Central Washington Hospital, the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village, the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center, and as a mentor to students in the Eastmont School District. She was also a member of PEO, committed to their goal of providing educational opportunities for young women. And she continued to travel, visiting, among other places, Florida, New York City, New Orleans, Arizona, Texas, and of course family in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Florence Pare; her brother, George Pare; and her husband, Lloyd. She is survived by her sisters, Susan Pare of Highland, IN and Carol (Mac) Kronn of Sun Prairie, WI; her brother, Kurt Pare of Fountain Hills, AZ; and numerous beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews and friends. Virginia's family and friends invite you to join us for a Celebration of Virginia's Life on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at the Eastmont Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Kentucky Ave. in East Wenatchee, at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia's name to the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village or the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Virginia Elsie Oestreich

March 12, 1936 - November 5, 2014