Helen Virginia Shope was born August 28, 1923 at Green Valley, Nebraska to Lloyd and Isa May (Bacon) Thompson and she died March 17, 2008 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 84 years, 6 months and 19 days.

Virginia was a World War II Veteran and was honorably discharged as a private on March 17, 1945 from Ft. Sheridan, Illinois. She touched son many people. Her hobbies included reading, embroidering, and gardening. She was devoted to her church where she had been a member since 1984.

Virginia is survived by her three siblings: Melvin Thompson, Jerry Thompson and Betty Ederton; three children: Peggy Holberg, Jim Estill and Markita McConnell; four stepchildren: Deloris Hay, Bobby Wiedman, Bonnie Weiner and Donna Smizer; twenty-one grandchildren and over twenty great-grandchildren.

Virginia was peceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, Martin and one grandchild.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial will be in the Herrick Cemetery, Herrick. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM, with a 7 PM prayer service, at the funeral home.