Virginia Alice Knowles Obituary (1930 - 2018)

Virginia A. Knowles (Ginger) was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon on October 27, 1930, to Jack B. and Alice M. (Colahan) Thomas and passed away in John Day, Oregon on February 2, 2018, at Blue Mountain Hospital. She was 87 years old. Ginger attended Klamath Union High School, in Klamath Falls, Oregon where she reigned as the rodeo queen for the Klamath Falls rodeo. After graduation, she went to work for the National Parks Service at Crater Lake National Park and then for the Klamath National Forest Service. It was during this time that she met the one she would share her life with, Dennis Knowles. Dennis and Ginger were married on December 9, 1950. The couple and their three children made their home in central Oregon, where Ginger balanced her time taking care of the children and tending to their cattle. Ginger had a passion for cattle and horses, spending her days tending to the herds. She was a devoted rancher. In addition to their property in Terrebonne, the couple purchased a ranch near Van Guard Station in Harney County. In time, after splitting her time raising the kids, taking care of both ranch properties, and selling real estate for nearly a decade, the couple sold their central Oregon property and moved to Grant County where they would remain. Ginger's strength, courage, and unconditional love for all will endure in the hearts of those fortunate enough to know her. Ginger is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dennis (John Day, OR); her sister, Jackie Dillstrom (Medford, OR); her children, Jeff (Sally) Knowles (John Day, OR), Leanne (Pat) Fuller (Clarkston, WA), and Butch (Mary) Knowles (Heppner, OR); six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Paul Thomas. The family will hold a private memorial at the family ranch at Van later in the Spring.