Virginia Batzer

Published 9:42 am Thursday, May 9, 2024

Virginia Batzer

September 24, 1917 – May 2, 2024

Virginia Batzer, long time Rogue Valley, Oregon, resident, passed peacefully into the arms of Our Loving Father on May 2, 2024. She was 106 years old. She was born in Valentine, Nebraska, to Mary Katherine and Robert Fitzmaurice. She graduated from Valentine High School. After her mother’s death she was raised by Emma Shepherd, who ran a boarding house. In 1938 she married Ernie Flakus. In 1941, with their son, Jerry Lee, they moved to Vancouver, Washington where both Ernie and Virginia obtained employment at Kaiser Shipyards. Virginia was a Whirley Crane operator on the docks, while Ernie was a lead welder.

At the end of the war, the family moved to Medford, Oregon. Virginia was employed as a Medical Technician and eventually Ernie became a partner in the Barco Supply Company.

In the 1950’s Virginia and Ernie adopted two children-a son, Gregory David, and a daughter, Renee Marie. The family was involved in Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the children attended St Mary’s Catholic School. As years went by Virginia was blessed with 6 grandchildren, and later some great-grandchildren, and most recently, a great-great grandson! All were loved by her, and learned to play cards from her, as soon as they could hold a few cards in their hands!

After her first husband passed, Virginia, eventually married Jack Batzer (the founder in 1955 of Batzer Construction) when both were In their 80’s. The respective number of children between them totaled 10, most of whom provided many grandchildren. They traveled extensively, fished, and played lots and lots of cards – mainly Bridge.

After Jack’s passing, Virginia lived over a dozen years at Avamere at Waterford in Medford, and a few years ago moved to Twin Creeks Retirement Center in Central Point where she recently passed away.

She not only loved and played Bridge throughout her life, but also was a respectable golfer. She loved parties and especially costume parties… she and Ernie (first husband) could dance up a storm! Virginia also was very artistic and creative. Her homes were always beautifully decorated, often with several of her own paintings adorning various walls. One can’t neglect to say, she was very competitive and at Avamere and Twin Creeks she held records on the Wii. She was unbeaten at Bowling and a pretty good Volleyball player as well!

Virginia will be greatly missed by her blended family and many friends. She is preceded in death by her two husbands – Ernie & Jack – her daughter, Renee. She is survived by her sons, Jerry and Gregory, and their spouses, as well as her step-children, their spouses, treasured grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren!

The family wishes to thank Twin Creeks Retirement Center for their kindness and care for Virginia. Twin Creeks became more than just an address. For Virginia it became her Home.

Virginia will be laid to rest on Friday May 10, 2024  at Siskiyou Memorial Park 2100 Siskiyou Blvd. Medford, OR.

Arrangements are entrusted to Perl Funeral Home and Siskiyou Memorial Park 541-772-5488. Memories and condolences can be expressed on our website. www.perlfuneralhome.com