Virginia was born to Charles Albert and Phoebe Jane Berg in Curry, Alaska, a ghost town now called DeadHorse, on Feb. 9, 1917. She began life in the rugged wilderness of Talkeetna, recounting early childhood travel by dog sled and horseback along the Susitina River.
Her father owned sawmills that prospered during the construction of the Anchorage/Fairbanks Railroad and along with Phoebe made a home for their three children by providing railroad ties and lumber for the construction of the Alaska Railroad. On the Berg homestead in Caswell, between Anchorage and Fairbanks, her family lived in a modest log cabin built by her father.
  
|
In Palmer, she lived in makeshift tents and shelters during the harsh Alaska winter before Palmer was more developed, and was chosen as Miss Palmer to represent the city in the first ever Miss Alaska pageant. At the Fairbanks Ice Carnival in 1936, Virginia was selected as the first Miss Alaska, regally seated on a hand-carved ice throne. To her family and friends, Virginia remained a queen all of her life.
In 1937, Virginia set sail by steamship to Seattle, where she attended the University of Washington. She met her future husband, Earl Lagergren (from Juneau) at the UW Alaska Club. They married in 1941, sharing 59 years together until Earl’s death in 2000. Virginia and Earl resided in Seattle during the war, where she worked as a secretary for many prominent attorneys in the insurance industry. They moved to Bremerton in 1947, where Earl worked as a marine engineer at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In February 1948 they bought their family home on Beach Drive near what is now Manchester State Park. They raised four children there, and Virginia lived there with her son, Eric, until her death.
Virginia was active in numerous community, civic and church activities. She and Earl were leaders in the Port Orchard United Methodist Church as well as at Colby United Methodist Church, where she served for many years on the board of directors. She was a dedicated Den Mother/Cub Scout leader, and a busy mom “taxi service” transporting her children to various music lessons, athletic events and horse shows. She was also active in the Port Orchard Yacht Club, Bremerton Power Squadron and Eastern Star.
Virginia was preceded in death by her mother and father, as well as her brother, Carl; sister, Francis; and beloved husband, Earl. She is survived by her son, Eric, of Port Orchard, Ed (Jill) of Elma, Wash., Jane Lagergren Kenney (Matt) of Seattle, and Arne (Brigid) of Seattle; as well as six grandchildren.
Virginia had that rare gift to love unconditionally and expressed kindness and generosity to all. She was an immensely respected and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and member of the South Kitsap community. Her accepting and forgiving nature, patience, persistence and encouragement will be a legacy that her friends and loved ones will always cherish. She loved to read, especially history and adored tending to her flowers. She loved music and shared this love with her family and church and all who knew her.
As Gov. Sean Parnell remarked in a letter to her family, “The story of Virginia’s life is one that is truly Alaskan.”
Her family will greatly miss her kind ways, her never-ending encouragement, her optimistic nature and cheerful smile.
Funeral Services were March 6 at Rill’s Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Colby United Methodist Church. Online memorials at www.rill.com. A public viewing will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday.
Comments
No comments posted.