Virginia R. Kaschke

Virginia R. Kaschke, 77, Hastings, Nebraska died Friday, October 19, 2018 at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, Nebraska.  Memorial services will be Friday, November 2, 2018, 3:00 p.m. at the All Saints Chapel, Good Samaritan Village, Hastings, Nebraska with Rev. Rodger Good officiating.  There will be no viewing or visitation as her wishes were to be cremated.  Private family burial will take place at a later date.  Memorials can be directed to the Oshkosh Library and Garden County Schools.  Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.  Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia was born on November 21, 1940 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Ted and Ruth (Boulter) Kleist.  The family later moved to a farm near Lisco, NE.  Virginia attended rural schools for her elementary years and graduated from Garden County High School in Oshkosh, NE in 1959.  She worked for Consumers Public Power after graduation from high school.

On October 18, 1959, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Eldon L. Kaschke.  Eldon and Virginia were to live many places throughout Nebraska while Eldon followed his career with the Nebraska Public Power District.  They lived in Ogallala, Elgin, Oshkosh, Neligh, Osmond, Humboldt and Creighton, finally retiring to Blue Hill, NE and later to Good Samaritan Village in Hastings, NE.

Virginia was a homemaker and mother and later held jobs with Reed’s Accounting, Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph and Creighton Care Home.  She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren and loved every minute she could spend with them.  Virginia loved celebrating Christmas and was in her element decorating and making Christmas special for her grandchildren.  She loved things that sparkled and also found great joy in little things such as hugs, brightly colored flowers, collecting elephants and friends who wore purple and red hats.  She was a fierce champion of those she loved.  The last eight years of her life were fraught with illnesses, but she kept going through it all because she loved being with her family.

Virginia is survived by her husband of 59 years, Eldon, Hastings, Nebraska, three children:  Greg (Angie) Kaschke of Pierce, NE; Jill (John) Kinley, Bladen, NE; Heidi Kaschke (Eric Hochstein) of Omaha, NE; five grandchildren, Jennifer Kaschke, Sam Kaschke, Kylie Kinley, Erin Kinley and Dan Kinley; brother, Frank Kleist, Sr.  She was preceded in death by her parents and by two siblings, Jack Kleist and Patricia Yetter.

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