Heinrichs, Virginia Rose Barkman (1924-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Jul 13 p. 13

Birth date: 1924 Feb 4

text of obituary:

VIRGINIA ROSE HEINRICHS

Virginia Rose Heinrichs, 85, of Lindsborg, Kan., died April 17, 2009. She was born Feb. 4, 1924, to Peter Hart Barkman and Rose Myrtle Galusha Olsen Harder Barkman.

When she was 3 her family moved to Reedley, Calif. She became a Christian at age 10 and joined Zion Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1941 she went to Tabor College in Hillsboro. There she met Abe Heinrichs. They were married on Aug. 1, 1943, at Zion KMB Church in California.

They moved to Wolf Point, Mont., and lived near his family for a year. He was then called to do his conscientious objector service at Glacier National Park, and they were there for more than two years. They then moved back to Hillsboro so he could complete his schooling at Tabor. They returned to Montana for Abe to teach at Lustre Academy, and they spent 10 years there.

They spent six years at Meade (Kan.) Bible Academy. In 1966 they moved to Ulysses, where Abe taught high school and she substitute taught. They were both active in Ulysses Mennonite Brethren Church, where she taught Sunday school. Besides being a homemaker, she sold Tupperware for several years. She later worked at the Wagon Bed Inn as a desk manager and helped Abe manage the motel for many years. She also worked at the Peddlers Inn. In 2002 they moved to McPherson, where he preceded her in death in 2006. She then moved to Bethany Home in Lindsborg. She is remembered for her infectious smile, her zest for life, her love for family and friends and her love for the Lord.

Survivors include seven children, Roger Heinrichs and his wife, Gail, of Denver, Ralph Heinrichs and his wife, Kathy, of Wichita, Rosann Carter and her husband, Robert, of Ulysses, Jack Heinrichs and his wife, Janet, of Emporia; Robert Heinrichs of Ulysses, Phillip Heinrichs and his wife, Debbie, of Hillsboro, Ore., and Cindy Harris and her husband, Kevin, of McPherson; a sister, Vicki Barkman; 22 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. Burial was in Gnadenau Cemetery.