Virginia was born on Nov. 18, 1937, in Sacramento, California to Ernest and Nellie Van de Wetering. She grew up in West Sacramento, and as a child often went on tent camping trips with her parents and brother, Jan. Later, she and her husband, children, and grandchildren continued the tradition, enjoying numerous trips to Southern Utah and Flaming Gorge, but never without a camper, motorhome, or trailer.

One of her favorite places to visit was the cabin her parents built on the Trinity River in Northern California where the family floated the river, fished, and played lots of card games, mainly Pinochle. She was an excellent player and usually won.

After she retired from Hill AFB, a perfect day for Virginia was to go to an early movie with her daughter, granddaughter, or friend, then do a little shopping before meeting her husband for lunch at the Newgate Mall Food Court. She loved to tole paint as well and created many beautiful pieces, giving nearly all of them away as gifts for her children and grandchildren.

Virginia was not born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. When she married Jean, however, on Feb. 6, 1955, she agreed to raise their children in the Church. While they were living in Ajo, Arizona in the early 1960s, two young men in white shirts and ties knocked on the door; she let them in and was later baptized. In 2014 she and Jean were sealed in the Brigham City Temple.

For Virginia, family was the most important thing. For years she hosted them all on Sunday nights for snacks, games, and conversation. She’ll be remembered and missed for her kindness, generosity, and intelligence.

She is survived by her children Terry Sheffield (Joel) and Kent Nielsen (Lana) and her brother Jan Van de Wetering (Carol.) She was loved and appreciated by her eight grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jean Nielsen, her parents, and two great grandchildren, Bowen Storey and Kody Nielsen.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Lotus Park, the doctors and nurses at McKay-Dee hospital, and the staff at Stonehenge of Ogden for showing kindness, respect, and patience.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Myers Mortuary in Roy (5865 S. 1900 W.) with a viewing before from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A viewing will also be held at the same place on Wednesday, May 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.