Virginia Ruth (Aasen) Siltanen

Virginia Ruth Siltanen was born on February 6, 1940 in Hallock, MN to Ruth and Joe Aasen. Virginia peacefully passed away at Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, WA on November 6, 2021.

A celebration of her life will be held at Steele Chapel at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6th, 2022 which would’ve been her 82nd birthday!

Virginia was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was kind, beautiful, funny, and always loved a sweet treat. Virginia grew up in Longview, Wa. as the big sister to 4 younger siblings in a close knit, musical and athletic family. She learned piano at a young age and also played the violin in her high school orchestra at RA Long, where she graduated in 1958. She was a talented athlete and loved ice skating and being a lifeguard at the community pool in the summers. Virginia enjoyed her friends growing up and had lots of fun and adventures with them including Pep Squad, camping, roller skating and even a modeling gig in a magazine for a local company advertisement. When she and Ron married in 1960 she became a dedicated wife and mother raising their 4 children and lovingly supporting them in all their various sports and activities. When the kids were grown she got a job at Nordstrom where she absolutely thrived, having a keen eye and appreciation for well made clothes and accessories, she truly loved working there. She left that job for another she loved very much! That was being a nanny for her newborn granddaughter Kenya. She had a tender spot and deep love of babies and especially cherished her grandbabies and great grandbabies. Virginia dedicated many years as a nanny caring for, nurturing and loving Kenya like only a grandma can! It was a special time they were both so blessed by!

Virginia found much happiness and joy cheering on all her adorable grandchildren and great grandchildren in their many activities including school and church choir, orchestra, drama, baseball, football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and tennis! Having moved to Bellingham in 2005, the beauty of the area wasn’t lost on her. One of her greatest joys and comforts came from sitting next to Ron with their morning coffee looking out at their perfect view of spectacular Mt Baker. Going to Bellingham Bay to take in the beauty of the boat marina and of course sharing fries with the seagulls as they enjoyed a meal at this gorgeous spot was one of their favorite things to do together!

Virginia is survived by her dedicated husband of 61 years, Ron, and their four children. Kim (Fred) Lillian, Ron D. Siltanen, D’Ann (Marty) Schroder, and Amy Siltanen. Also her grandchildren Brandan (Leah) Lillian, Jamin (Dan) DeVaney, Emma and Grace Schroder, Kenya (Collin) Vassallo, and great grandchildren Taylor Tremain and Lilly and Gracen Philips. Virginia is also survived by her younger sister Janelle (Karl) Farstad and brother-in-laws Bob (Sally) Siltanen, Dick (Carol) Siltanen and many nieces and nephews she loved and who all adored her. She is preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Don, Dave, and Jon Aasen.

Our dear Virginia was loved and cherished by all who knew her and although our hearts are broken and we’ll miss her terribly, we are so very thankful she is now at peace!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dementia Support Northwest @dementiasupportnw.org or Whatcom Hospice House @whatcomhospice.org