Cover photo for Virginia N. McClain's Obituary
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1932 Virginia 2024

Virginia N. McClain

December 16, 1932 — December 4, 2024

La Crosse, WI

Virginia Nellie McClain, 91, of La Crosse, WI passed away on December 4th, 2024 after complications from heart valve replacement surgery.

Virginia was born on December 16th, 1932, to Martin Frank and Emma Makes Trouble Frank on their homestead along the Firesteel Creek in South Dakota. She was a registered member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Her early years were spent on the family cattle ranch. She attended school at the Lone Tree Country School and the Ft Yates Indian Boarding School. 

On April 4, 1958, she married Donald L. McClain in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota. They were married for 56 years. They started their life together in McIntosh, South Dakota and moved to South Milwaukee, WI in 1972. In 1977, they moved to La Crosse, WI where they remained. Until recently, Virginia lived at the Cass Street Assisted Living Facility. She enjoyed the weekly church services and the Drama/Acting group. She will be deeply missed by all the residents due to her kind and helpful nature.

Virginia worked most of her life at various hospitals in and around South Milwaukee, and La Crosse, WI. She officially retired in the mid nineteen eighties.

Virginia will be remembered for her generosity, friendly nature, independence, and resiliency. She prided herself on never forgetting an anniversary or a birthday. She enjoyed cleaning house, cooking/baking, canning, cutting her lawn, shopping at the Valley View Mall and listening to music on the radio. Her album collection was a who’s who of country artists in the 80s and 90s. She could beat everyone in Bingo, Uno and other board games. Her snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies were legendary. She loved to make pizza-spins at Christmas time. Above all else, she loved her grandkids. When they came for visits, it usually featured a pork roast meal along with a generous supply of cookies, chocolate bars and ice cream. After a visit, the grandkids would come home with an assortment of toys, trinkets, clothes, and stuffed animals.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, and most of her siblings. She is survived by her sister Cecelia Roubideaux of Rockville, MD, a daughter, Viola (Jerry) Ebling of San Juan Bautista, CA; by two sons; Don (Joy) McClain of Cottage Grove, WI and Brad (Brenda) McClain of Boscobel, WI; six grandchildren, Mario, Jaime, Alex (Danielle), Chris, Donald and Sarah; along with five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Virginia's name to the America Heart Association.


 

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