Virginia Rose Martin

BURLEY – Virginia Rose Young Martin, age 97, of Burley, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at her daughter’s home in Wenatchee, Washington.

She was born to Charles and Leah Stewart Young on July 16, 1915, in Oakley, Cassia County, Idaho. The oldest of nine children, she outlived all her siblings except for Curma, who resides at Park View Rehabilitation and Care Center. Deceased are Ted, Bobbie, LaRae, Lucille, Bertie, Jackie, and Mike.

She spent her early years helping her mother with gardening, house work, and the younger children. She always loved a clean house and a pretty yard. She attended school in Oakley and was involved in all the plays and activities. Ruth Woodhouse was a friend she made early on and they remained friends throughout their lives. She married her high school sweetheart, Rex Martin, on June 22, 1935, and they spent 64 years together.

Rex and Virginia were parents to Sally (Dennis) Port of Wenatchee, Washington, Gayla Anderson of Wickenberg, Arizona, Linda (deceased), Carla (deceased), and Nancy (deceased). Virginia was blessed with 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four great-great- grandchildren.

Virginia was a farmer’s wife and lived most of her life in Oakley on Marion Street. In 1960, Rex and Virginia retired and moved their family to Burley, where she remained until 2007 when she moved to Wenatchee, Washington.

Virginia was very talented. Wherever she lived, she made that home very charming and homey. She worked hard all of her life, one time being a spud boss, waited tables at local cafes, worked at the Style Shop for many years, and lastly at the Mayfair in Burley. Virginia loved fashion and always dressed with a flair. She loved playing pinochle at the Burley Senior Center, and was also a master bridge player. We were so blessed to have such a good mother and grandmother. One of her talents was painting. We always told her that we were going to put a bouquet of paint brushes in her hands when she died. She was very frugal and would go without to get that extra dollar in the bank. She had a large family which she loved very much – the Youngs and the Martins. Virginia was also very social and enjoyed hosting parties for all of her many friends and family. Her daughters loved growing up with such a good mom and dad. They were fun and loving parents. Her daughters, Gayla and Sally, had the pleasure of taking care of their mother for the last 10 years of her life at her home in Burley, in Wickenburg, Arizona, and Wenatchee, Washington. Virginia is going to be greatly missed by all her friends and family.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, with Bishop Michael Larsen officiating. Burial will be in the Marion Cemetery in Oakley.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Rasmussen Funeral Home.