April 26, 1943 – May 13, 2024
Virginia Joan Garland (Wagar), 81, of North Bend, Oregon passed away quietly at home and with family on May 13, 2024. Virginia “Ginni” was born on April 26, 1943 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Roy and Fern Wagar. She grew up in the small rural town of Gilby, North Dakota and graduated from Gilby Public High School, class of 1961. Following high school she graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BA degree in Elementary Education and for a short time taught elementary school in Arvilla, North Dakota.
In June of 1965 Virginia married Craig Garland at the Gilby Presbyterian Church, and they moved to Lewiston, Idaho where she continued her teaching career while her husband Craig finished Forestry school at the University of Idaho. They then moved to Burley, Idaho where she taught in an elementary school across the Snake River in Rupert, Idaho. And again, following her husband’s career changes without complaint, moved to Eugene, Oregon where she taught school in Junction City, Oregon, where she proudly was the first woman to wear pants while teaching. A daughter, Kelli, was born in Eugene, Oregon in 1972. In late 1976 they landed in North Bend, Oregon where she taught elementary school at Bangor school primarily, but she also spent some time in Lakeside and Sunny Hill schools as well. She retired from teaching in about 2003.
Virginia loved beach-combing and over the years found several Japanese glass floats along with numerous lady slippers, sea urchins, and sand dollars. She had a passion for quilting and started and hosted a quilting group (named ‘And Sew It Goes’) that met at her house in North Bend every Tuesday for about 38 years up until a few weeks before her death. She loved the quilting ladies, who were very dear friends.
One of Virginia’s great pleasures in life was spoiling the Grandkids, and she did so at every opportunity. In addition to quilting and spoiling the Grandkids she was also an avid reader of books on tape and CD and frequented the North Bend Public Library.
Virginia is survived by her husband of 58 years, Craig Garland; brother, Doren Wagar and his wife Merrily; daughter, Kelli Garland-Douglass and her husband Ryan; and two grandchildren.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Fern Wagar; sister, Peggy (Wagar) Jernigan; and brother-in-law, Bruce Jernigan.
In her last days, Virginia requested cremation and no formal funeral service. She will be missed by many. If you would like to make a donation in her remembrance, the family suggests the North Bend Public Library in North Bend, Oregon.