Virginia Febinger

Virginia Febinger passed away peacefully at age 101 on Monday, July 7, 2025 at Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab Facility in Fort Collins under the care of Pathways Hospice. The family is planning a private memorial, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Virginia Febinger was born in Denver, Colorado on January 18, 1924, the only child of Finley Gose and Zoe Davis Gose. She was raised in Denver and spent several summers in Grand Junction with her maternal grandparents. She attended Denver Public Schools, was active in Camp Fire Girls, and graduated from East High School in 1941. Virginia’s nursing interest began at a young age due to her disabled father’s early passing when she was 16. She attended the University of Denver and Children’s Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1946 as a Registered Nurse with a B.A. in Education. Prior to the end of World War II she was inducted into the Nurse Cadet Corps and worked a year in Virginia during her nurse residency. In 1950 she began working as a nurse for Denver Public Schools. She renewed an acquaintance with George Febinger, a friend from East High School, and they wed on March 24, 1951 at Park Hill Methodist Church in Denver. They were married 56 years before George’s passing in 2007. They were blessed with the adoption of their daughter, Nancy, in 1956. Virginia completed a Masters Degree in Personnel Services at University of Colorado in Boulder in 1966. She also obtained a Nurse Practitioner license in 1979. In 1963 their family moved to Fort Collins when George continued his teaching career in the education department at Colorado State University. Virginia became a school nurse in the Poudre School District in 1964 and retired in 1984. She went on to substitute as a nurse in the Thompson School District. She was honored as District Nurse of the Year in 1978. After retiring, Virginia pursued her second career as Ginger the Clown. She brought joy and entertained children and adults of all ages with her balloon sculpture animals, clown magic, and face painting at birthday parties, school programs, community gatherings, and other events. She ”clowned around” from 1984-2005. She also volunteered with Spellbinders at Shepardson Elementary and 4th graders enjoyed her storytelling for 10 years. George and Virginia loved spending time in the mountains at their cabin in Crystal Lakes, which they built in 1979. Virginia played the piano throughout her life, and often accompanied George when he sang. Together they were active with the Fort Collins Symphony and other local musical and theater groups. They enjoyed traveling and made several trips to Europe, where George sang with the CSU choir. She was a proud member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and many other organizations including the American Red Cross, Colorado Nurses Association, National Ski Patrol, Colorado Clowns, Poudre Retired School Employees Association, Front Range Computer Users Group, and Presto-Digitators magic club. She loved animals, in particular Boston Terriers, and trained her dog Misty as a therapy dog. She volunteered with Northern Colorado Therapy Dogs and Larimer Animal-People Partnership. George and Virginia moved to The Winslow in 2004. During her 16 years there, Virginia formed many friendships with both staff and residents. She remained active with her quilting and knitting groups with whom she had many meaningful friendships. She had a strong faith and was a member of the Unity Church. Virginia was grateful to have her loving family close by. Her family feels blessed to have so many fond memories of her wonderful presence in their lives. Virginia is survived by her daughter Nancy Rudeen, son-in-law Larry, three granddaughters Amber Rudeen, Sarah Rudeen, and Brianne Liptak (husband Denney), and three great-grandchildren Elise, Dane, and Milo Liptak, a niece, nephew and their families. During her amazing 101 years, she lived a wonderful life bringing joy to all who knew her, with her positive attitude, care for others, a smile and laughter. She loved to share her stories and learn from others. She will be greatly missed by her family and her memory will live on in all who knew and loved her. The family wishes to thank Pathways Hospice and the Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab Facility staff, nurses and physicians for their kindness and care during the past five years. If you would like to make a donation to honor her life, please consider the Poudre School District Foundation Compassion Fund, Pathways Hospice, or Unity Church.