Virginia Kodes, 91 of Wagner

Her funeral service will be 10:30 am Monday, March 17, 2008 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wagner, with burial in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Halle' Virginia Kodes, daughter of Walter and Nina (Einkoph) Ehrisman, was born June 16, 1916 on a farm southwest of Wagner, SD. She died Saturday, March 15, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. Virginia attained the age of 91 years, eight months and 29 days.

Virginia attended grade school at Ravinia and then Lawrence Country School. She also attended Wagner High School for a few years, but due to dry and hard times, she helped out on the family farm.

Virginia married Samuel Van Asperen on September 3, 1938 and they moved to a ranch 15 miles south of Dante. Their first son, Norman Gene was born and died the same evening. Later, two other children were born to their union: Donald Duane and Sharon Joann. Sam was killed in a tractor accident on December 24, 1952.

Virginia married Joseph Charles Kodes on December 5, 1954. Two children were born to their union: Sandra Lynn and Barbara Laine. Joe died February 16, 1996. Virginia became a resident of the Wagner Good Samaritan Society on May 17, 2004.

Virginia was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wagner.

Virginia raised a large garden and canned for many years. She sewed clothes for her family and loved to cook and bake. Her embroidery work was exquisite. But what was most important to her was her faith in God. She had a deep love for her Savior, Jesus Christ and wanted for others to have that relationship with the Savior. Virginia donated to many ministries to that end.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Sharon Haar and husband, Harris of Wagner, Don Van Asperen and wife, Janet of Grand Island, NE, Barbara Walters and husband, Warren of Tyndall; son-in-law, John Grosz of Pierre; 14 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; brother, Ronald Ehrisman and wife, Alice of Sioux Falls; sister, Delores Baskin and husband, Curtis of Spokane, WA; sister-in-law, Josephine Koupal of Wagner; and a host of other relatives.

Virginia was preceded in death by both of her husbands; daughter Sandra Grosz on November 18, 1999; infant son, Norman; parents; brother, Jerry Ehrisman; sister, Janice Fritz; infant sister, Lorna; and sister-in-law, Adeline Uchytil.