In Loving Memory of Virginia R. Dowding Virginia Ruth Dowding, known to many as Ginny, was born October 27, 1919, in Utica, NE. She was the fifth child of Walter and Nellie (Virgin) Hufnagle. Her older brothers and sisters were Richard, Robert, Margaret, and Winnibel. She grew up in Utica and later attended the University of Nebraska. On November 4, 1938, she married her sweetheart, William T. Dowding of Seward. Bill became a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. This took them to live in Myrtle Beach, SC. In WWII, Bill was sent to France, Ginny moved to California to live with a childhood friend, help with the war effort and await, hopefully, the return of their husbands. Ginny was the fortunate one, her Bill did return. They settled in Seward, where Bill worked in the Post office and she resumed her education at the University of Nebraska and Concordia University,, ultimately earning her Master's Degree and progressing towards a doctorate. She had a long and rewarding career in education, teaching elementary school, mostly in 5th grade for over 34 years. She received the Teacher of the Year award and served once as a speaker at Teachers Convention. After retirement, she served on the Seward School Board of Education for four years. In 1949, Bill and Ginny adopted a son, William Walter (Billy). He was the delight of their lives. They were involved in Boy Scouts, with Billy reaching the level of Eagle Scout. They helped with the Seward Swimming Pool, life guarding and teaching swimming lessons. They also loved and raised collies for a number of years. They traveled frequently mostly to the southwest, collecting Indian rugs and turquoise pieces. She was a whiz at crossword puzzles and could beat anyone at Scrabble. Ginny was involved with the arts in Seward, painting and doing creative writing, playing the piano and singing in choirs. She also taught Sunday school for many years. Virginia was widowed at the young age of 51. After this tragic event, she filled her life with travel abroad, being a docent at Sheldon Art Gallery in Lincoln, reading and teaching. Many of her students referred to her as their "favorite teacher". After being widowed for many years, Virginia married a kindly gentleman, Hubert G. Thelan on February 9, 1993. they enjoyed several good years together. Even in death, she will continue teaching as she has donated her body to medical study through the Anatomical Board of the State of Nebraska. Virginia was preceded in death by parents, sisters and brothers, husbands, William T. Dowding and Hubert G. Thelan, and son, William W. Dowding. She is survived by close family members, Bill and Virginia Backes of Milford, Dixie Evers of Eugene, OR, Lloyd and Retha Dowding of Bellevue, Jayme and Rudy Palmer of Lothian, MD, Greg and Arlis Dowding of Omaha, Laurie and Chris Peterson of Omaha, Jim and Mona Dowding of Omaha, Larry Maland of Edmonds, WA; great nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews; daughter-in-law, Sally Mouzon Dowding of Soddy Daisy, TN; step grandson, James Harmon of Soddy Daisy, TN and a host of friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Ginny.