Virginia Dorothy Schollmeyer

Virginia Dorothy Schollmeyer passed away peacefully on March 5, 2018 in her Mesa, AZ home after a long and hard fought battle with heart disease. The second of 9 children born to Arthur and Alberta (Klumph) Irmen. Virginia was born in New Rockford, ND on September 16, 1942. Virginia grew up on a farm and would ride horse to her grandparents’ farm to watch the Brooklyn Dodgers play baseball on TV.

Virginia moved to the “Big City” (Minot) to attend nurses training. This is where she met the love of her life. Virginia married William (Bill) Schollmeyer at St John’s Catholic Church on November 9, 1963 in New Rockford. They were married for 54 years. Both being from good Catholic families, the following August the children began to arrive and would continue to arrive in quick succession. In all they had 4 children in five years.

The early years gave them the opportunity to practice their packing skills as they lived in four different cities. In 1969 they moved back to Minot where they resided until moving to Chandler, AZ in 1983. For this their children were very grateful as they were able to grow up near their grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

As the children grew older the summers were filled with kids’ softball and baseball games, weekend trips to Rice Lake and New Rockford.

When most of the kids were in grade school she decided to go back to work as a nurse at the Americana Nursing Home. During summer vacation, her days would be filled with phone calls from her children “tattling” on each other. Honestly, we don’t know how she ever accomplished anything at work during this time. Later on she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Minot and Chandler Regional Hospital in Chandler, AZ.

Virginia knew how to cook for a crowd. When they lived in Minot, she frequently hosted holiday meals that many of her 8 siblings and their children would attend. Years later we would learn that the reason she made so much was that one year she ran out of mashed potatoes, much to the disappointment of her niece and goddaughter, Darcy. Virginia’s stuffing was the highlight of the family Thanksgiving meal.

Virginia’s passions in life were her family, Christmas and collecting Precious Moments figurines. She always cherished time with her sisters. The laughter of the Irmen clan when they were together was contagious. But her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When cardiomyopathy forced her to retire from nursing in her early 50’s she filled the void with babysitting three of her grandchildren who were all under the age of 5. On weekends you would often find multiple grandchildren sleeping over at Granny and Pa’s house.

When Virginia was at home she would be wearing one of her many housedresses. We don’t know where she found the first one but her mother, being an excellent seamstress, took one apart and used it as a pattern for new dresses. They ranged from soft florals, to holiday and kittens themes. They were always sleeveless and had two pockets for her gum, chapstick and tissue.

Virginia will be remembered for her infectious smile that complimented her blue eyes.

Virginia was a lifelong Catholic. She preferred 5:00 mass on Saturday and family gatherings were planned around this schedule. After retirement she volunteered at Paz de Cristo and the food pantry at St. Mary’s church in Chandler.

Her family is very grateful to her cardiologist, Dr. Rajiv Ashar with whom Mom had a special bond. He not only gave her excellent care but also truly cared for her.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Bill and her four children: Sheri (John Koponen), Mike (Sharon), and John, all of Chandler, AZ, Jim (Barbara) Gilbert, AZ; 11 grandchildren, Nicole Thompson, Katie Koponen, Ryan Schollmeyer, Brandon Schollmeyer, Austin Schollmeyer, Andrew Schollmeyer, Quinton Schollmeyer, Jalyn Schollmeyer, Justin Schollmeyer, Courtney Schollmeyer and EmmaRaye Schollmeyer; 3 great grandchildren; sisters, Carol (Daryl) Galt, Bismarck, ND, Susan (Roger) Carmody, Fergus Falls, MN, Jeani (Mike) Irmen, Minot, ND, Rita Irmen, Minot, ND, Jackie (Bruce) Krebsbach, Coleharbor, ND; brothers, Bill (Andrea) Irmen, Sawyer, ND, Tom (Nancy) Irmen, Coleharbor, ND and Mitch (Heidi) Irmen, Fargo, ND; numerous nieces and nephews, and her beloved cat Honey which Bill has promised to care for.

Preceding Virginia in death were her parents and nephew, Matthew Irmen.

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, Mesa, AZ.

Inurnment: Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Mesa AZ following the funeral mass and reception.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Valley.