| Bio | Virginia "Virgie" Lou Holberg, 76, of Springfield, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, following an extended illness due to pancreatic cancer. Virginia was born December 18, 1939, in Kansas City, to James and Virginia (Asherst) Lynn. She worked for the Southwestern Bell Company as a long distance interchange operator for hotels and major businesses in downtown Kansas City. She was also a nationally competitive synchronized swimmer and widely known aquatic instructor specializing in teaching adults to swim. She became the cruise director for her brother's riverboat business "River City USA" of Kansas City. The firm operated two large riverboats; the 600 passenger "Missouri River Queen" and the 800 passenger "America" until the gambling boats destroyed the dinner cruise market. Virgie and her husband David moved to Springfield in 1993 after the flood of '93 flooded their Parkville home. After retiring, she and her husband built and operated the Joplin & Springfield Railway. rginia's body has been donated to MedCure to aid in medical research and education. Her remains will then be cremated and given back to the family sometime in the spring. Her remains will be given one last train ride as President of Joplin & Springfield Railway along with a train ride and picnic for family and friends. Published in the News-Leader from Jan. 8 to Jan. 10, 2016 |
