Obituary: Sturgis, Virginia Lee
Virginia is survived by her loving husband Gerald Sturgis of 50 years, and Brother Bill Burgess and wife Fran.
She is also survived by her many children.
Son, Don Houk and wife Susan; daughter, Diane Ahlers and husband, Jerry; daughter, Tambra Maple and husband, Bill; son, James Houk; stepsons Jerry, Brad, and Kelly Sturgis.
Virginia was preceded in death by her father, Pete Burgess; mother, Minnie Kampwart and sister, Connie Kritz.
Virginia was born on January 30, 1941 in Warrington, Virginia to Minnie Rose Huff Burgess and Alvin (Pete) Franklin Burgess.
Virginia and Jerry settled in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho in 1971 with their seven children.
Virginia had an amazing gift for mastering crafts including painting, sewing, gourd art, and pine needle basketry.
She designed and sewed the first Coeur d’ Alene City flag in 1978, which hung at the Coeur d’ Alene City Park for many years.
As a Mica Flats Grange Member she sewed many award winning items and won several National Grand Champions awards.
She also instructed many classes for her gourd and pine needle art and sold many of them at the Coeur d’ Alene Resort.
Her passion for fishing led to creating her own flies which developed into “Frisky Jenny Flies.”
Known throughout the Northwest to be one of the best lures for catching “The Big One.”
She was a highly involved member in the Coeur d’ Alene Lake Anglers Association, Lake Pend Oreille Club, and Mica Flats Grange.
The last 20 years Virginia and Jerry enjoyed their retirement as snowbirds to Lake Havasu.
Throughout their marriage they had built five beautiful lake homes on Coeur d’ Alene Lake.
One of her greatest joys was her 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was a loving and caring Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother and Great-grandmother.
She enjoyed family gatherings.
She was the heart and joy of our family.
You will be missed deeply and forever in our hearts.
Rest in Peace we will see you one day in Heaven.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 3:00 P.M., at Lake City Community Church.
BELL TOWER FUNERAL HOME, Post Falls, Idaho is entrusted with arrangements and you may visit Virginia’s on-line memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com