Obituary of Virginia M. Cemelich

None Virginia Maude Cemelich Virginia M. Harris was born in 1927 in Prairie City, Oregon to Clarence and Hattie Harris. She was the youngest girl out of a family of 10 children. She graduated from Prairie City High School. She met Marvin L. Kemp of Goldendale, Washington when she went to stay with her sister in Goldendale, Washington. They were married in 1947 and they farmed wheat and Angus cattle in Centerville, Washington on over 2,000 acres of ground. Virginia could drive a tractor or combine with the best of them. She fixed fences and birthed their three daughters during this period of her life while there was no in- house bathroom nor warm running water. She did have a hand pump for the water at the sink in the kitchen for cold water and she would warm it over the woodstove if need be. She also cooked all of the meals over that woodstove. Marvin and Virginia Kemp moved to Cowiche, WA in 1955 and started Kemp Logging Company. Virginia worked in the seasonal apple packing warehouses in the Fall each year. This is where they raised their three daughters. When they were divorced in 1970, Virginia went back to school at Yakima Valley College and became an LPN. She moved to Olympia, Washington upon graduation and started a job she loved at the brand new St. Peters Hospital. She was a natural at nursing and her patients loved her. She continued to get cards of appreciation throughout her life from them. She met and married Rudy Cemelich in 1974 and moved to Hoquiam, Washington. Virginia and Rudy Cemelich enjoyed traveling on their Goldwing Motorcycle. They were charter members of the Chapter D Goldwing Road Riders. Rudy passed away in 1995. At that time, Virginia moved to Colonial Estates where she had many friends at the Stitch and Bitch Club. They quilted together and shared stories. She lived there 12 years. After heart surgery in 2007 Virginia moved to Boston Harbor to live with her daughter and son in law, Julie and Lew Monta. She enjoyed the family atmosphere and being part of the dog raising business out of their home. She passed away with Boston Terriers laying by her side. Virginia enjoyed working on all crafts but especially her knitting, quilting and gardening. She knitted baby hats and booties for the newborns at Care Net. Her family, friends and some of the Olympia street people will stay warm with her hand knitted sweaters, scarves and homemade quilts. She is survived by her three daughters all of Olympia, Washington and Son In-Laws, Donna Rutledge, Patricia and Michael Baker, and Julie and Lew Monta and her 6 Grandchildren, Matthew Forester, Monica Baker, Kara Whitsell, Shannon Lafferty, Abby Monta and Nolan Monta, a great granddaughter, Juniper Whitsell and a brother and sister In-law Buzz & Marjorie Harris. Donations in her memory may be made to Virginia's church, Olympia Lacey Church of God at www.olcog.org. Click on Guestbook to leave memories and thoughts, please.