Our loss is heaven's gain. Virginia Geis, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all, passed away gently in the night on October 28, 2006. She was born on October 16, 1918 and had just celebrated her 88th birthday with her family and friends. Virginia had pulmonary fibrosis that decreased her lung volume in the last couple of years and caused her to need oxygen. She got excellent medical care, though, and experienced very little air hunger. In the end, she just became weaker and needed more and more rest. Before this, God blessed her with a vibrant, healthy life. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Virginia is survived by her loving husband, C.M. "Bud" Geis of Circleville, and three appreciative sons, Clif, Topeka; Dick and his wife Gina, Topeka; and Bill and his wife, Kathy, Kansas City. She is also survived by a number of beloved grandchildren including her granddaughter, Sally, and her husband, Matthew Smart, and their children, Micah, Andrew, Hannah, and Jacob, and Clif's other children, Josh Wilson, Erik Geis and Cameron Geis; Dick's children, Jordan and Matthew; and Bill's children, Hannah and Alex. Virginia is survived by two sisters and two brothers-in-law: Nolah and Wilson McCahon, Hillsborough, California, and Francis and Pauline Jensen of Holton. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ken Johnson.

Virginia graduated from Circleville High School in 1936 and took a degree in home economics from Kansas State four years later. She worked as a Home Economist for the Phillips Gas Service Company in Hutchinson Kansas until she met her husband, Bud, who then saw extensive duty in World War II. After their wartime separation, Virginia and Bud settled in Circleville, where Bud worked in the Farmer's State Bank, and Virginia worked and raised a family. Virginia taught high school for a time at Circleville High and worked at the Farmer's State Bank for over 20 years. She also taught nursery Sunday school class for more than 50 years, at her home church, the Circleville Christian Church. She was a member of Chapter 293 of the Order of Eastern Star. Especially touching for both Bud and Virginia, the city of Circleville re-named their baseball field in their honor in 2004.

God loves small, unassuming miracles. The life of Virginia Geis was that kind of miracle. Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 1, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m, and services will be on Thursday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m. at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in the Circleville Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Circleville Christian Church Building Fund and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.