Virginia Visser Obituary

Virginia Jean (Schuyler) Visser, 94, formerly of Emporia and Lawrence, Kan., died peacefully Feb. 8, 2017, at PathStone Crossing, in Mankato, Minn. A private ceremony to celebrate her life will be held at a later date.

Virginia was born June 26, 1922, to William and Edna (Frear) Schuyler in Danbury, Iowa. After she graduated from Danbury High School in 1940, Virginia completed her nursing training at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa. After graduation in 1942, she and many of her classmates enlisted in the military. Virginia became a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served as a nurse in England, France and Germany for 22 months. Near the end of World War II, she met and fell in love with her future husband, John E. Visser, an Army captain and native of Iowa. Virginia was proud of an account she wrote about her wartime nursing experiences, titled "Through the Years, 1940-1945." After discharge, they married on May 29, 1946, and settled in Holland, Mich., where John was a history professor and basketball coach for Hope College, while Virginia worked as an industrial nurse for local businesses.

Together, they moved with their growing family as John finished advanced degrees and worked in administrative positions at a series of colleges and universities, including Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich.; Grand Rapids Junior College in Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. John was selected as president of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., in 1968. Virginia served as "first lady" for the campus for 17 years, during which she also earned a master's degree in Home Economics and taught classes in that department. She was actively engaged in the community and championed many civic causes. Through it all, she pursued her life-long passion for entertaining and always worked to make people feel welcome in her home.

After their retirement from Emporia State, John worked as a consultant for universities in Wisconsin and Alaska. Virginia very much enjoyed both locations and, as always, became involved in campus and community activities, making many warm friends along the way. During that time, Virginia also became interested in genealogy and compiled a detailed history of several generations of the Schuyler family. The couple returned to Vassar, Kan., in 1988, where they built their dream home on Lake Pomona. They lived there until John's death in 1997.

Virginia then moved to Lawrence, where she developed a new group of friends, especially those in her beloved book club. She moved to Mankato in 2012, to be closer to family.

Virginia is survived by daughters Mary Visser of Mankato and Nancy Visser of New York, N.Y., and her brother George F. Schuyler, and his family in La Crosse, Wis. She is preceded in death by her siblings Martha Clark, Fred Schuyler, and Edwin Schuyler, her husband, John, and daughters Betty Visser and Martha Visser.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Emporia State University Foundation targeted to the John & Virginia Student Athlete Scholarship or the Bargain Box Scholarship Fund (www.emporia.edu/give) or the Mayo Clinic Health System SWMN Regional Hospice (http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/mankato/donate).

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Feb. 11, 2017.
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5 Entries

So sorry to hear of your mothers passing. We will be thinking of you Wayne and Donna Osness

February 14, 2017

We are sorry to hear of your mothers passing. We will keep you in our prayers. Wayne and Donna Osness

February 14, 2017

I first knew Virginia while I was an ESU student in the late 60's/early 70's. Our lives crossed again in the 80's when I'd occasionally see John and Virginia while living across the cove at Pomona Lake. More recently I'd see her from time to time in Lawrence. I feel blessed to have known such a gracious and vibrant lady!

Denis Yoder

February 14, 2017

I was lucky enough to help Virginia out in her home for awhile. She was a very interesting Lady with very interesting stories. You could tell she had a zest for life.
Rest in Peace Virginia
Dava Spohn

February 13, 2017

I am sadden by the news of Virginia's passing. I was fortunate enough to get to know her while helping her in her home. She was a very interesting Lady with very interesting stories. She was Amazing.
Rest in Peace Virginia.
Dava Spohn

February 13, 2017

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