Virginia R. (Wagner) Cambier

Virginia Cambier, 91, of Clarion passed away Saturday, August 11, 2012, at The Heart of Wright in Clarion.

Funeral services for Virginia Cambier will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 121 3rd Avenue North West in Clarion with Reverend Bill Kem officiating.  A private family burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Monday, August 13, 2012 at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 121 3rd Avenue North West in Clarion.

Virginia Roselle Wagner was born September 9, 1920 to George and Katherine (Blass) Wagner at Early, Iowa where she was raised with 5 older sisters.  She attended business school in Grand Island, Nebraska, where she met her future husband Orville (Ike) Cambier.  They were married October 18, 1941.  They lived and worked in Glenwood, Minnesota until Ike entered the Army Air Force.  Ginny followed him to Del Rio, Texas for his B-26 Bomber pilot training and then she moved to Des Moines to work as a G.M. bookkeeper and live with the wife of a fellow pilot.

After the war, in 1946 they moved to Clarion and bought the Chrysler Plymouth dealership.  In 1950 they built a new garage building on the highway in west Clarion.  A son Mark was born in 1951 and a daughter Linda in 1952.  Ginger was the business manager for the car dealership as it changed to Chevrolet in 1953 and added Cadillac and Olds by 1968.  They retired in 1980.

Ginger was a 65 year member of the U.C.C. Congregational Church and a 60 year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.  She served as Iowa State Chapter President from 1972-73.  Over the years she was active in Women’s Federated Club, Community Chest, Hospital Foundation and Auxiliary, Blood Drive, and American Legion Auxiliary.

Throughout their marriage Ginny and Ike pursued their love of flying by owning an AT6 Army trainer, a Swift, and a Bonanza.  They also donated land along the Iowa River north of Clarion to the Wright County Conservation Board known as Cambier River Bend.

After retirement, Ginger spent her time caring for Ike when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  He died in 2003.  Ginger’s last years were spent enjoying family and countless loving friends who took her everywhere and kept her active by including her in their lives.

Ginger is survived by her son Mark, daughter Linda and husband Ted Brigger and her nieces and nephews.