Virginia M. Nupen, age 98, of Watertown, SD passed away February 4, 2022.
Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 12, 2022 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Hayti, SD with Pastor Randy Eisenbeisz officiating and Stephanie Sauder as organist.
Interment will be at New Hope Cemetery in Hayti, SD.
Honorary Casket Bearers will be Thomas Rowe, Elizabeth Stanley, Jeffrey Nupen, Stephanie Nupen, Christopher Lew, Melissa Lew Heddon.
Virginia M. Nupen was born December 8, 1923 to Bert and Anna (Benjaminson) Marsh on the family farm in rural Hayti, located in Hamlin County, South Dakota. She grew up on the family homestead, attended the country schoolhouse and Hayti High School, graduating in 1941. After earning her Teaching Certificate she taught school in the country schoolhouse until her marriage to Arnold H. Nupen on July 18, 1945. They farmed for five years in rural Hayti, welcomed one son and two daughters before moving to Carson, California, where they lived for 30 years and raised their children.
After retiring in 1983 they moved back to the family farm near Hayti, but spent winters in La Verne, California.
In retirement Virginia enjoyed baking, gardening, canning and spending time with her family.
In 2008, she moved from the family homestead to Parkview Assisted Living in Bryant and eventually to Avantara Watertown.
She enjoyed visits with friends and family and loved recalling stories of growing up in rural South Dakota.
Mrs. Nupen was a long time member of the New Hope Lutheran Church and American Legion Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold in 2003, parents and infant sister Hazel Jolene.
Virginia is survived by one son and daughter-in-law Steven and Pat Nupen of Mansfield, Ohio, two daughters and sons-in-law Rosalie and Steven Rowe from Long Beach, California and Joanne and Sam Lew from Fountain Valley, California, six grandchildren: Jeffrey Nupen, Stephanie Nupen, Thomas Rowe, Elizabeth Stanley, Christopher Lew and Melissa Lew Heddon and twelve great grandchildren: Jacob and Lauryn Nupen, Brennan Westfall Nupen, Jace Reppert, Zachary, Alexis and Paige Rowe, Tegan and A.J. Stanley, Caius, Ravel and Geneva Heddon and Brothers-in-law Curtis and Larry Nupen.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather with the family in the church dining room for lunch and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Virginia for maintenance at: New Hope Cemetery, Hayti, SD 57241.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family - www.wightandcomes.com.