Round Up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kid is still crazy about horses.

And On

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The toys are out and ready as the whirlwind continues from Arizona to office moving to Mackenzie coming to stay for a bit. Though its a little life affirming to have some young energy around the house.

Things Keep Moving On II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a final bit of nostalgia that harkens back to the days of backups to tape being whisked away to an off-site vault by an Iron Mountain courier every day.

Things Keep Moving On

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in Tennessee and in turn the very last day at Parkway Tower. I've been working in this building for quite a while now. It's just a work office but strange how you get attached to places.

Generation Gap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We head home this afternoon but stopped by the house one more time to visit. We'd spent a good amount of time with Debie, Rachael, John, and Casie which was great aside from the circumstances of our reunion. Here's Rachael and Willis talking, which I thought was a nice moment.

Bunny Sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we got back to the house after the service this little guy was hanging out in the back yard. Apparently there are two of them and Virginia loved to feed them carrots but they hadn't seen them in a while. Maybe coincide or maybe a comforting message. I leave it up to you to decide.

Virginia Rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virginia's favorite flower was the pink rose, so they had a beautiful bouquet of the biggest roses I've ever seen. They also knew the casket had been picked out with a little help from on high, because it was named the Virginia Rose. The service was very nice with several family members giving moving remembrances.

A Life In Pictures II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other half of the memorial table.

A Life In Pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A memorial at the service to Mari's mom. The two bowls had little silver angel pins, since Virginia wore some kind of angel pin every day.

Virginia Brown

 

 

 

Obituary

Virginia Ann "Ginny" (Epp) 86, passed away, Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. A grave-side service and burial will be at East Lawn Cemetery, Minatare Nebraska, on July 29, 2023, where Virginia will rejoin her parents, Herman, and Opal.

Virginia was born March 26, 1937, in Beatrice, Nebraska to Herman Epp and Opal R (Jackson) Epp, the second child and first of three daughters.

In 1950, Virginia moved with her family from Beatrice to Valentine, Nebraska, where her father became the Chief Engineer for Consumers Public Power District and her mother worked for the Valentine Public Library.

In 1953, Virginia married Robert "Bob" Andrews in Valentine and to this union, two daughters joined the family, Debora K "Debby" in 1955 and Marla M "Mari" in 1956. The summer of 1958 found the young family moving to Vale, Oregon where Bob began teaching.

After teaching Methodist kindergarten in Vale for 7 years and while teaching at Albany, Oregon for 11 years, Virginia returned to school and pursued her dream of becoming a certified elementary school teacher, which was fulfilled when she became the first-grade teacher at Cascades Elementary School in Lebanon, Oregon in the fall of 1979. Virginia retired from the Lebanon School District after teaching at Cascades Elementary for 17 years in 1996.

Virginia and Bob divorced in 1982, and in 1984, Virginia married John Splichal. After John's death in 1993, Virginia reconnected with an old friend from Valentine, Willis Brown who had married her best friend from Valentine High, Winnie Ward. In Virginia City, Nevada, on March 26, 1996, Virginia and Willis were married thus, beginning the next chapter in their lives. With her retirement in June of 1996, they moved to Mesa, Arizona but almost immediately began travelling in their motorhome throughout the western states, visiting a much larger extended family, as well as numerous friends, seeing some interesting and not so interesting sights, but always enjoying the journey.

Her Christian faith was very important to her and defined her character and demeanor throughout her life. At a young age she joined the Methodist church and was a long-standing member of the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed and was proud to host their circle meetings in her home. A prominent tenant of her life was charity and believed in supporting many worthy causes. She always found ways to give a little to a lot of charitable organizations.

Virginia took immense pride in her large family and enjoyed hearing about the activities and lives of her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She loved to read, enjoyed going to see the latest movies with Jo Brown and friends, cheering on the Arizona Diamondbacks and would not hesitate to put the star players in timeout when they did not perform to her standards. She immensely enjoyed her nightly phones calls with her sister, Tomi, and her granddaughter Casie, where they updated each other on the activities of friends and family. Virginia cared very much for the students she taught and was quick to share humorous stories of her teaching career. We enjoyed her stories about growing up in Beatrice and Valentine. She loved to bake, and her version of ginger snaps; "Ginia Snaps", which were the best, just ask any of her grandkids! Even though she always said she didn't like to cook, she was known for her potato salad and would not hesitate to prepare a dish for any occasion or gathering.

Virginia was proceeded in death by her parents; Herman and Opal Epp, her brother, Rodney Epp, his wife Laverna (Larson) Epp, her sister, Jane (Epp) Kreycik, her first husband, Robert Andrews and her second husband, John Splichal. Sister-in-laws, Grace (Brown) Harvey, Mary (Brown) Fischer and Rose (Brown) Herron; Brother-in-laws, Eugene "Bud" Grooms, Lawrence "Pete" Brown, and Marvin Brown.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Willis Brown of Mesa, Arizona; daughter, Debbie (Andrews) Palmer, son-in-law, Rob Palmer of Clovis, California; daughter, Mari Greer, son-in-law, Jeff Greer of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Granddaughters, Casie Hulden and her husband, John Hulden of Oregon City, Oregon, and Rachel Schulz of Vancouver, Washington; Grandson, Lonnie Ireland Jr of Loganville, Georgia. Sister, Linda "Tomi" Epp of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Brother-in-law, Hale Kreycik of Douglas, Wyoming. Great Grandchildren, Payton, and Mackenzie Ireland as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Virginia's acquired extended family includes; Randy, April and Christopher Brown of Mesa, Kyle Brown and Kathryn Cuiffo of Berkeley, California; Kathy and Mark Fiala of Mesa, Mike and Sara Fiala of Mesa, Nick, Lora, Jackson and Lucas Fiala of Mesa, Doug Fiala of Mesa, Rebecca "Becky" Fiala and Tanner Scibetta of Mesa; Kevin, Leah and Parry Brown of Mesa, Nathan, Gillian, Katie, Kortne and Korbin Brown of Mesa, Malerie, Tracy, Makayla and Liam McGee of Mesa, Eric Brown and Kathy Boi of Mesa, Marissa Martinez of Mesa, Grace, Wyatt and Elsie Hoffman of San Tan Valley, Arizona. Sister-in-laws, Johanna "Jo" (Schaeffer) Brown of Mesa and Mildred (Brown) Grooms of Kearney, Nebraska and Brother-in-law, Norman "Bud" Fischer of Fargo, North Dakota.

The family would like to recognize Casie Hulden and Gillian Brown, two of the best health care advocates and personal nurses that a grandmother could want, and we thank you for your care and devotion.

Mother Daughter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mari's mother Virginia passed away somewhat unexpectedly. We've flown to Arizona to be with the family and attend her service. I didn't take a lot of pictures as it didn't seem appropriate at the time, but here are Mari and Casie in Virginia's kitchen, going over some papers.

Non Discriminatory Watering Hole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even squirrels need a little drink and splash now and then.

Flap Right Up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There might have been others we didn't see, but this female cardinal is our first official customer at the birthday birdbath.

Panerade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went to Panera for lunch today and were treated to geese on parade through the parking lot. The nice thing was everyone stopped and waited patiently for them, it's always affirming to see folks respecting nature.

Another Trip Around The Sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cherry Garcia, the reward for getting another year older.

Basket Raider

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its been a while since we had any interest in the ol' dog toy basket.

Incredible Inedible Nuts

 

 

 

Even the packing "peanuts" had a sense of humor.

Look At My Nut Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think all the nut puns and terrible innuendoes that have been flying around the house are almost as good as the present itself. The box they came in was fun too, covered on all four sides with writing and nut character doodles.

Getting Nuts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casie and John sent me some gourmet nuts for my birthday. So far I've only tried the butternut peanuts (lower left) and they were amazing.

Birthday Bath

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being spoiled rotten as we are, Mair and I always struggle with what to get each other. So this year we decided to go with a joint birthday present and got each other this really nice, brass coated aluminum bird bath. We get so much joy out of watching the birds it really makes sense for both of us. Surprisingly heavy, it looks even better than we hoped in person.

Cobbled Together

 

 

 

Today is Mari's birthday and in keeping with a new resolve to be healthier bundt cakes were replaced with this home made sugar free fruit cobbler we've been really enjoying lately. Please do not judge my skills with piping icing, I swear I'm literate.

The G In Walk

 

 

Alright so that title didn't work as well. Here's Mad and G on a walk together.

The Peckers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rare to see them both at the same time, Mr and Mrs Downy W. Pecker having a date on the feeder.

The G In Guest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dad is off to Washington for a week to visit with Jenni and her family so we're watching Gigi until he gets back. She seems to be enjoying the freedom of a fenced in yard.

The Struggle Is Real

Coming soon to a theater near you, one dog's struggle against sleep.

Putting A Steak In The 4th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dad really put on a nice spread, with the table set beautifully and some of the best steaks ever. It was a great dinner and evening in general.

Lettuce Be Patriotic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're heading up to Dad's house for a 4th of July BBQ and Mari made some red white and blue salad to go with the occasion.

WOTM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July. As time goes by.