Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Virginia Bozena Shanks was born on August 23, 1921 and died on January 10, 2016 in Hillsboro, Oregon at the age of 94.
She was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the only daughter to Vincent and Bessie Prochazka.
She grew up in Omaha and in her early adult years worked at the Bomber Plant during the 2nd World War.
After she met and married her husband, Charles V. Shanks, they moved to Garden Home, Oregon.
Charles worked for many years for the Union Pacific Railroad and they also owned and operated a gas station in Garden Home.
In their later years Virginia and her husband moved to Wishram, Washington where her husband managed the beanery for the Burlington Northern Railroad and Virginia worked there, as well as a waitress, until they both retired.
After retiring from the railroad they settled in The Dalles, Oregon where they lived for many years.
Together they had one son named Charles.
Virginia was a musical person. She played the organ and also sang in the choir. She was also very creative, working with ceramics and needlepoint to make beautiful creations. She was an active member of her church, attended many activities at the senior center and was loved by all who knew her.
Virginia is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Charles and Ann Shanks, her grand-daughters, Cara Vazquez and Theresa MacPherson, and her great-grandchildren, Charles Vazquez, Ana Vazquez and Mason MacPherson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles V. Shanks, her parents, Vincent and Bessie Prochazka, and her brothers, John Prochazka, Dan Prochazka and Ted Prochazka.
