1957-2026
Virginia Marie Unterreiner, 68, entered into eternal rest on June 29, 2026, after
courageously bearing cancer. She died in the loving presence of her family, who prayed,
sang, and accompanied her with love to the end.
Virginia was born on July 30, 1957, in Susanville, California, the sixth child of ten of
Cletus and Josephine Unterreiner.
She graduated from Lassen Union High School in 1975 and later earned an Associate of
Arts degree in Business from Shasta College. Virginia began her career as an
administrative assistant with Pacific Bell in Sacramento, California. In her thirties,
however, she discerned a call to nursing and pursued that vocation with determination
and generosity, motivated by a deep desire to help others in times of illness and
suffering empowered by compassion from experiencing her own suffering. She earned
her BS in Nursing at Sacramento State University and was an RN at hospitals, High
Desert State Prison and California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, for 10 years. Her
attention to detail, steady competence, and compassionate care for others made her an
exceptional nurse-one who was valued and relied upon by both colleagues and
employers.
Virginia loved her Catholic faith and found great comfort in praying the rosary. She also
loved helping others heal, spending time with her loyal dog Boo, and going on
adventures. She was gifted in craftsmanship and enjoyed designing and building
furniture for her home. Virginia delighted in giving gifts to those she loved and was
especially known for offering lottery tickets to people whose work she admired or to
those she felt might need encouragement or a little extra help.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cletus and Josephine Unterreiner, brothers
David and Paul Unterreiner, sister Marette Wakeman and brother in-law Richard
Wakeman. She is survived by her siblings, Mary Unterreiner, Alan (Lami) Unterreiner,
Ken (Carolyn) Unterreiner, Phil (Brenda) Unterreiner, Judy Waybright, and Loree (Brian)
Lippsmeyer, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Virginia will be remembered for the healing she brought through her nursing, the
beauty she created with her craftsmanship, and the perseverance and trust in God with
which she bore mental and physical suffering.
A Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 am on Monday, July 20, 2026, followed by a Funeral
Mass at 11:00 am, both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Susanville, California.
Interment will follow at Diamond Crest Cemetery.
