Virginia Fenrich
Obituary
Virginia Knoten Rice Fenrich, 94, passed away Sept. 2, 2010 at Forest Hills Center. A native Tulsan, she was born April 16, 1916 to early Tulsa grocer, Simon Knoten and Edna at the site where the Circle Theater now stands. When her mother died in 1919, she and her 8 siblings were unselfishly raised by her beloved second Mom, Stella, when Simon remarried. She graduated from Central High School in 1934 and was married to Cecil Rice for 42 happy years until his death in 1980. She was again blessed when she married Donald Fenrich; welcomed by his two sons; enjoyed many travels, and spent another 25 happy years together until his death in 2006.
Virginia was a noted Tulsa bowler, active in many leagues and local and national tournaments; served as City Secretary; inducted into the Oklahoma Bowling Hall of Fame in 1982 as a Charter Member. She was also a faithful St. Louis Cardinal fan and never missed a TV game. A longtime member of Rose Hill Methodist Church and then First Evangelical Lutheran Church, she and Cecil and later Don, delivered Meals on Wheels for 24 years.
Virginia was the personification of the grit and determination so representative of our greatest generation. Despite her trademark independence, her love for her family was foremost in her life; she treasured family gatherings and never forgot family birthdays. She leaves a heritage of solid self-reliance born out of her German ancestry to her children and grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by sister, June Dodd, and brothers, Miller and Simon Knoten Jr., and Clarence Chaney. Survived by sisters Frances Dierker and Betty Miller of St. Louis; brothers Bobby Knoten, Lake of the Ozarks and Billie Knoten, Milwaukee, WI; daughter Carolyn Osborne (Bob), BA; Jack Rice (Donna), Tulsa; Jerry Rice (Linda), Oklahoma City; step-sons, John Fenrich and and his wife Kay of Owasso, OK and Gerry Ronningen-Fenrich and his wife Kris of Seattle, WA and Nice, France; 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation on Monday, Sept. 6. Ninde Woodland Chapel. 728-8500. Services will be 1:30, Tuesday, Sept. 7th at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1244 South Utica.
Events
Tributes & Memories
I can only second what my brother John wrote on September 6th. Virginia was a very special person to us and we miss her very much.
Gerry Ronningen-Fenrich
Grandma Ginny was the only grandmother that I had growing up. Since my other grandma died long before I was born, she was all that I had. She has left me with fond childhood memories of family gatherings. She was a upright and moral citizen in her everyday life. Grandma will also be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her as a charitable person that cared about others. Her legacy serves as a ideal role model to future generations as a statement of character, that we lack so much of in our society today. That being said, her memory will live fondly in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew her. She is in heaven smiling down on us right now. We love you, Grandma Ginny!
Shannon Morisse
My father, Don, was truly blessed to have found Virginia to be his life's partner. He learned to bowl and like okra and she learned to love to listen to the accordion. They were truly a special couple. My brother and I thought of Virginia as our "second Mom." She will be missed and well remembered.
John Fenrich