Virginia "Gege" DuBois

On January 19, 2022, former Sauk Centre resident Virginia "Gege" DuBois rode off into the sunset at 98 years of age. She is no doubt now fly fishing in a chilly mountain stream or golfing a 9 hole course with her late husband, Dr. Julian DuBois, Jr.

Gege was born July 15, 1923, and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming, where she excelled as a student, rode her horse everywhere and even drove heavy equipment to build an airport runway during World War II.

After graduation from University of Colorado, Boulder, Gege moved to San Francisco to work and explore life. From California she moved to New York for more work and exploration. Having had enough of big city life, she moved back to Wyoming, where she worked for the Veterans Hospital. There she met a handsome US Army captain who was on a surgical rotation. Together they explored the Big Horn Mountains, fishing, driving roads way too narrow and having picnics that included fresh caught trout.

After their marriage in 1947, they moved to Vancouver, Washington, where Julian continued his surgical residency.

In 1949, Gege, Julian and their infant daughter moved to Sauk Centre, where Julian joined his father’s medical practice. Gege made and maintained many friendships in Sauk Centre, and loved the town. She was an avid bridge player; a longtime member of the First Congregational Church (now First United Church of Christ); a member of the Sauk Centre Country Club, where she was a Women’s golf club champion; and a highly successful organic gardener. Gege was also the first female member of the Sauk Centre schoolboard. She ran for that office because female teachers were paid less that male teachers and her sense of justice wanted to right that inequity. It surprised but pleased her that she won the election.

Gege moved to Colorado six years ago to be near her family, but loved coming back to Sauk Centre every summer to visit. The pandemic of 2020 put an end to her travels.

Gege passed away in her home in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, with family members at her side. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents and sister. She is survived by her three children, Katherine (Kandy) Heinen (Bob), Nancy Sack (Al), and Jim DuBois (Deborah), six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Firstfamliesnow.org, the Sauk Centre Historical Society, or a local charity of your choice in Gege’s memory.

Memorial service is pending.