Virginia Rhine

Helen “Virginia” Story Rhine passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Wednesday afternoon, February 4th, 2015, in Yreka, California. Born October 6, 1932, in Ottawa, Kansas, to Joel and Helen Story, she moved to Pasco, Washington as a girl. Virginia loved horses and met a tall, handsome young carpenter named Bob Rhine at a horse show when she was 16. They married soon after and moved to Idaho. When she graduated from high school she was the Salutatorian for her class. Bob joined the Air Force and they would spend the next twenty years at various bases – from Hawaii, Texas, and Washington, to California and Puerto Rico. Virginia always had an attitude of making the best of every situation and was a pro at moving and re-establishing an efficient home. They started their family five years after they were married, and had two children. When their youngest was four, they were stationed in Puerto Rico and spent some of their happiest years there. They all had horses and spent many wonderful days on trail rides and swimming in the ocean. When Bob was stationed in Thailand, Virginia handled the growing real estate business he was developing alongside his Air Force career. She learned to take care of the plumbing, do minor auto repairs and earned an Associates Degree at Riverside Community College, where she graduated with honors. One of their last assignments was at the tiny Air Force base in Montague, California where they retired to build a construction and real estate business. Virginia worked as a substitute teacher in Siskiyou County for several years and took many classes “just for fun” at College of the Siskiyous. She loved to learn and to help others. Both she and Bob were very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which they joined after moving to Yreka. Virginia was known by all as a kind, gentle, loving person, who was constantly helping others. A friend said that Virginia wasn’t someone who would ask what needed to be done to help, because she would already be busy doing it. Her door and her arms were always open to her numerous grandchildren and their friends, who all fondly referred to her as Grandma. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Rhine and brother, Joe Story. She is survived by her son, Scott Rhine of Montague, daughter, Cindy Shipley and son-in-law, Rick Shipley of Big Springs, five grandchildren; Cliff Eakin, Rachel Eakin, Shannon Rhine, all of Siskiyou County, Beth Eakin and Mike Eakin of Portland, Oregon, eight great-grandchildren and brothers, Don Story of Pasco, WA and Frank Story of Richland, WA. Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1001 W. Miner Street in Yreka, on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 11:00 am. Contributions may be made to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097.

Virginia Rhine

October 6, 1932 - February 4, 2015