Virginia Ann Zellmer

Virginia Ann Zellmer

May 18, 1936 – Dec. 11, 2022

Virginia Ann Zellmer was 86 when she went to be with the Lord on Dec. 11, 2022 in Davenport, Wash. She was born May 18, 1936 to Martin and Esther Horne in Ridgefield, Wash. She spent most of her growing up years in Portland, Ore., later moving with her family to Nampa, ID, where she graduated from Northwest Nazarene University (formerly Northwest Nazarene College) in 1958 with a degree in Home Economics Education.

Virginia married Gerald Zellmer of Davenport, Wash. on Aug. 19, 1960 after a short engagement. Their first date was in April of that year while she was teaching Home Economics in Portland and he was teaching Vocational Agriculture in White Salmon, Wash. They returned to the Zellmer farm south of Davenport in 1961 and first daughter Joy, was born in Spokane. Second daughter Julie, was born in Ephrata where Gerald taught for one more year. Third daughter Jana, was one of the first births in Davenport on the Sunday of the open house for the new Lincoln County Hospital.

Virginia was an exceptional homemaker, seamstress and cook. She was very musical with a great alto voice, playing piano and organ even after she struggled with rheumatoid arthritis. She helped her daughters through many years of 4-H and music lessons. She was active in the Harrington Nazarene Church where she was often elected Missionary President, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and sang in choir and small groups. Her family loves to sing together. She went on Work and Witness trips to Honduras in 1985 and 1986 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2003.

Virginia worked in the Davenport schools as a Special Education Resource teacher from 1970-1974. She was a bookkeeper for the Lincoln County Soil Conservation District for 17 years until she lost her sight from a brain tumor in 1996. She found other areas of ministry, learning to "pray without ceasing" and encouraging others through letters and phone calls. She continued to play the organ for church and enjoyed her keyboard at home, praising Jesus her Lord and Savior. She lived a life of grace and courage and will be remembered for her joyful spirit.

Virginia was preceded in death by her sister Eleanor Hansen and brother Leroy Horne. She is survived by sisters Viola Tucker of Lincoln City, Ore. and Joan Ellis of Thornton, Colo., her husband Gerald, daughters Joy (Dave) Jarrell of Kent, Wash., Julie (Brent) Miller of Mountain Home, ID, and Jana (Jeff) Shea of Spokane, Wash. She will be missed by grandchildren Ben (Heidi) Miller, Janilee Miller, Paige Jarrell, Bryce (Merry) Miller, Tyler Shea, Tate Jarrell, Jenaya Miller, and 5 (soon to be 6) great grandchildren.

A memorial service will honor her life on Sat., Feb. 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Harrington Nazarene Church.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Harrington Nazarene Church, Joni and Friends disability ministry (Joniandfriends.org) or The Gideons International (gideons.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.strate-funeral.com. Strate Funeral Home Davenport, WA is caring for the Zellmer family.