Obituary for Virginia Sjoblom Crookston
Virginia Sjoblom Crookston, age 87, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2014 at the Caring Hearts assisted living facility in North Logan, Utah. Virginia was born on May 25, 1926 to John L. and Cordelia Sjoblom.She had many fond memories of growing up in Farmington, Utah. Her family lived and worked on a fruit and vegetable farm. They also grew flowers for sale. She especially loved to ride in the horse drawn wagon with her father as he whistled their way to town with produce and flowers in the early morning hours. Her family enjoyed being together, working and playing. She was close to her sister Dorothy and Brother Louis even though there was a significant gap in their ages.
It was when her dad began growing more flowers than produce that she developed her lifelong love for flowers, especially roses, tulips, violets, and sweet peas. Virginia always had a flower centerpiece on her table next to a beautiful glass jar of candy.
After graduating from Davis High School, Virginia got a job working at the LDS Church Headquarters as a secretary to David O. Mckay. She greatly enjoyed her work there.
After the end of World War II, she was travelling on the Bamburger Train from Salt Lake to her home in Farmington when she met a newly returned soldier named, George W. Crookston. They began a courtship and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Nov 25, 1946.
She moved with George to his hometown of Logan, Utah to begin their life together. They began in an upstairs apartment of a home which they were later able to purchase and fix up for themselves and their 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys.
Her family grew and the children had families of their own. She loved to hang pictures of her family on the wall of her living room. The pictures soon covered the walls. She began to fill albums with photos of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Reunions and holidays and any times that families would gather together were always special occasions.
Virginia worked at the Utah State University Photo Lab. She loved working with the staff there and helping customers.
She and George both served in the Baptistery of the LDS Temple. Virginia enjoyed serving the Logan 5th Ward Relief Society and made many life-long friends while serving in these callings. For the past few years, she attended a Family Home Evening group with special friends. She was very fond of this group and so looked forward to their Monday night gatherings at one another’s homes.
She spent much of her time corresponding in letters and cards with family and friends. She loved to keep track of birthdays, and sent cards for these and many other occasions. She enjoyed researching genealogy. She also loved picnicking and camping with George and family in Yellowstone, at Bear Lake, and in Logan Canyon. Virginia collected dolls, Precious Moments figurines, and teddy bears. She loved Christmas and kept a small decorated tree up year round. Her home was filled with books and beautiful pictures.
Surviving Virginia are her 5 children: Renee (Bart) Genta, Pocatello, Id; Gary (Ilene) Crookston, Smithfield, Ut; Floyd (Tammy) Crookston, Providence, Ut; Boyd (Janice) Crookston, North Logan, Ut; and Kristy (Scott) Poulsen, Smithfield, Ut; 22 grandchildren and many wonderful great and great-great grandchildren.
Her beloved husband, George, passed away on March 11, 2006. Also preceding Virginia in death were her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Sterling Burton, and her brother and sister-in-law, Louis and Helen Sjoblom.
Her family wishes to thank the staff of Caring Hearts of Cache Valley, Access Home Health, and Hospice who were so kind and helpful during the last months of her life.
All those who knew Virginia are invited to visit with her family at a viewing to be held Tuesday, April 1st between 6-8pm or on Wednesday, April 2nd between 10:30 – 11:30 am at the Allen-Hall Mortuary; 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah. A simple service will be held for family and close friends at the Allen-Hall Mortuary on Wednesday, April 2nd at noon. Virginia will be buried next to George, her eternal companion, in the Logan Cemetery.
