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In Memory

Virginia DeForest (Zaiss) - Class Of 1942

 Virginia <I>DeForest</I> Zaiss

 

Virginia DeForest Zaiss

BIRTH

North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA

DEATH
26 May 2021 (aged 96)

Whitefish, Flathead County, Montana, USA

BURIAL

Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
 

Virginia was born in North Platte, NE on September 12, 1924 to Bess (Gross) and Charles DeForest. She had four siblings, Truman, Elaine, Char, and Jeanne, all of whom predeceased her.

Virginia attended Kearney State Teacher's College and was a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a Degree in Journalism. After college, Virginia moved to southern California to be near her sister and cousin.

She met and married Sam Richard Zaiss on February 5, 1947, in Los Angeles, where she was working as a radio script writer. Virginia became a full-time homemaker, after the birth of her first son, Rick. Shortly after her second son, John, was born, the family moved to Shenandoah, IA where Sam began his marketing career at Tidy House Products.

His job included several moves, the last being Omaha in 1964, where the family lived until Sam's death in 1975.

An avid pioneer of women's rights, Virginia worked for the Omaha mayor's commission on the status of women. She was also an active member of the local League of Women Voters. After Sam's death, she worked for Nebraska Congressman John Cavanaugh until her move to Chandler, AZ to be near her sister. She worked in administration at the Maricopa County School District until her retirement, then spent 26 more years at her home in Arizona, where she made many friends and enjoyed golfing and playing bridge.

She had achieved Master status in bridge and was a formidable opponent, even into her nineties. Her son Rick passed away in 2013, prompting her move to Whitefish at the age of 89 to be near her son John.

Virginia lived a long, healthy life. She had a lively spirit and enjoyed politics her entire life. She loved her grandchildren

Survived by:
Son: John (Joann) Zaiss,
Daughter-in-law: Tracy Zaiss
Grandchildren: Zachary, Michael, Stephen, and Rebecca
Great-grandchild: Rylee

Published by Omaha World-Herald on May 30, 2021.