1934 – 2018
Virginia was born on October 26, 1934 in Seattle, WA to Rudolph and Ruth Pearson. She graduated from Ballard Highschool and then went on to earn a diploma from Multnomah School of the Bible. It was there she met David Leland Keller whom she married in 1955. They had two daughters, Glenis Lynnette, in 1957 and Janis Annette in 1958. Virginia and David had been married for 57 years when David passed in 2012.
Virginia earned a BS degree in Music and Bible from Faith Baptist College, Ankeny, IA in 1973. She worked in the Business Department at Faith for 8 years. She was also a school secretary in Houston, served in the business office of Tulane University, as well as a secretary for Dr. Michael DeBakey’s public relations office. She was director of Human Relations back at Multnomah for the last 17 years of her career life.
Virginia and David enjoyed a lifetime of camping and taking many long trips across the United States. They were able to enjoy the first 5 years of retirement on the Klickitat River in Washington, before needing to move to the Portland area for medical issues.
Virginia was an extremely talented pianist and organist and served in this capacity in every church they attended throughout their many moves. She continued to play piano for Samaritan Village Chapel up until a year ago. She also enjoyed sewing, crafts, painting, writing and gardening. Her many homes through the years were always decorated with her artistic endeavors, antiques and a cozy atmosphere which she particularly enjoyed opening up to others during the holidays.
Virginia was proceeded in death by her parents Rudy and Ruth, as well as son-in-law, Trent Zuhlke. She is survived by her daughters, Glenis Zuhlke and Janis (Mark) Steckiel, and grandchildren: David (Courtney) Steckiel, Danyelle (Sean) Kane, Dustin Steckiel and Molly Zuhlke. She became a great-grandmother to Elliana Rose Kane 5 days before she passed. Virginia often reflected on the blessing of her family and her faith. She will be interned with her husband at Willamette National Cemetery
Condolences(7)-
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jacqueline Lilly says
September 26, 2018 at 2:07 amI remember Ginny with fondness from many years ago at WVBC. She was a kind and lovely lady. Our sympathy and prayers for your family. Bob and Jacki Lilly
Kristin Lanham says
September 26, 2018 at 12:20 amI have also served as a pianist in many churches, but I count my years playing and working with Ginny at Wood Village Baptist Church as some of the most important, in that I learned so much from watching her play. She was generous with her knowledge and showed me many skills in fills and runs that I use to this day. Ginny’s love for the Lord and gift of music changed my life, and I am grateful to have known her.
Debbie Whitehead says
September 25, 2018 at 10:15 pmGinny was a wonderful friend and coworker. She was so appreciated in the work she did for Multnomah in the HR office. Her warm smile will be missed.
Danyelle Kane says
September 17, 2018 at 10:25 pmI love you and miss you, grandma! Can’t wait to see you and rejoice with you in heaven someday 🙂
David and Linda Morrison says
September 17, 2018 at 10:01 pmPart of our history in ministry in gone from us as David and Virginia with their love for Christ, faithful ministry in leadership and church ministries, and as dear friends in Seattle and Des Moines. Her interior decoration skills were absolutely the coziest every! What a blessing you were to the Church and to us personally. Virginia on piano or organ was the best choir and congregational accompanist I ever had. I remember her spending hours to get just the right combinations out of that little pipe organ at Gatewood Baptist in Seattle, and that was just a little part of what made her offertory solos so rapturous. “Well done good and faithful servants of the Lord.”
charla zuhlke says
September 17, 2018 at 6:34 pmWhen Virginia moved to CA I was able to get to know her a bit, even though Glenis had been in our family for quite some time. IN CA she was also able to join us for holiday things at Trent and Glenis’. Virginia was always so sweet and encouraging! We also shared a love for reading, and now I realize we also shared a love for playing the piano. Thinking you might be playing some kind of instrument in heaven, too–much more amazing than any we have here! Charla Zuhlke
Glenis Zuhlke says
September 17, 2018 at 5:36 pmLove you, Mama! I miss being able to share with you. Love all you taught me.