Virginia Gokie

Virginia Lee Gokie, 78, of O'Neill died Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 at her home in O'Neill.

Visitation was held Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a rosary.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. Fr. Bernard Starman officiated.

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Schools in Virginia's name.

Virginia was born on June 30, 1943 in Omaha, to Elmer and Anna Meisinger, joining siblings James and Judy. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1961 and went to work at Kilpatrick's - Younkers Department Store. 

While working at Younkers, she met Jerry, her future husband of 58 years, at the store’s Christmas party. Jerry and Virginia were married on June 8, 1963 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Omaha. 

Jerry joined the U.S. Navy and after boot camp was stationed in Agana, Guam. Virginia flew to Guam and joined Jerry on the island for two years. While in Guam, they had their first child Deanna in 1964. 

After Jerry finished serving in the Navy, they moved back to Nebraska in 1966, where they started a gas station business. 

While lovingly taking care of everything at home, Virginia supported the business by doing bookwork and working at the cash register. Their first son Michael was born in 1967 and Terry followed, one year later to the day, in 1968. 

In 1973, Jerry and Virginia moved their young family west to a small acreage on the edge of Emmet. 

She soon served as a CCD teacher and was active in the Altar Society at Church of the Epiphany in Emmet. 

Their fourth child Tim was born in 1977. 

They continued to run the Conoco Station in O’Neill, converting the gas station into a convenience store in 1980 which they eventually renamed Fast Mart.

Jerry and Virginia moved back to O’Neill in 1981. 

All four of their children attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in O’Neill. Virginia sang in the Saturday evening choir at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in O’Neill through much of the 1980s. 

As the kids started moving out, Virginia had more time to pursue her interests and began her career as an artist painting porcelain china, painting hundreds of floral arrangements and portraits. She eventually opened a small gift shop in O’Neill, called V’s Porcelain Designs. 

In retirement, she and Jerry enjoyed traveling the west in their RV, visiting their 15 grandchildren and wintering in Henderson, NV. 

Virginia is survived by her husband of 58 years Jerry; four children Deanna (Scott) Frankforter of Grand Island, Mike (Tara) Gokie of Columbus, Terry (Jane) Gokie of Lincoln and Tim (Karen) Gokie of Ceresco; 15 grandchildren Kevin Frankforter, Kaitlin Frankforter, Lauren Frankforter, Nathan Gokie, Matthew Gokie, Lindsay Gokie, Grace Gokie, Conner Gokie, Claire Gokie, Carter Gokie, Thomas Gokie, Anna Gokie, Alex Gokie, Maria Gokie and Joe Gokie; and one sister Judy Ratigan of Front Royal, VA.

She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Anna Meisinger, her stepmother Louise Meisinger and one brother James Meisinger.