Virginia Ann Bezoenik's Obituary
Virginia Ann Wiggenjost Bezoenik, 92, passed away at 6:30am Friday, October 22, 2021 at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California.
Born April 26, 1929 in Fort Madison, Iowa, she was the daughter of Joseph and Pauline Wiggenjost. On August 10, 1969 she married Joseph Bezoenik at San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside, California. He preceded her in death on July 21, 2006.
Virginia graduated in 1946 from Catholic Central High School in Fort Madison, Iowa. She worked as a secretary at Sheaffer Pen in Fort Madison, IA. She played the alto sax in the Municipal Band. Also, she played the piano and accordion performing with her sister, Iona, at dances and other events.
Virginia moved to Escondido, California in 1962. She was a woman of strong faith. She and Joe were active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Escondido and provided music at the 5:30 Mass for a number of years.
Virginia graduated from San Diego State University in 1969 with a Bachelors in Business Administration.
She taught at Ramona High School, North County Adult College and Palomar Evening College. While working, she earned her Masters in Education from the University of San Diego in 1972. She helped establish the Job Corps program at Victorville College in Victorville, California in 1985. She continued working in education as an administrator and a counselor at Colton Unified School District in Colton, California until her retirement in December 1995.
Virginia loved her Sheltie dogs (Thunder and Spice), music, dancing, playing cards, and traveling to visit family and friends. She also enjoyed getting together with her numerous California relatives and friends. Highlights in her musical life were playing the organ, attending and ushering at Lawrence Welk shows for approximately 20 years.
Survivors include three nieces, Diana (Phillip) Bell of Overland Park, Kansas, Marlyn (Paul) Anderson of Raymore, Missouri, and Joan (Michael) McAnany of Bucyrus, Kansas; two nephews, Gregory Siegrist of Olathe, Kansas, and David (Tiffany) Siegrist of Montgomery, Texas; grand nephews and nieces; sisters-in-law Karen and Maryrose Bezoenik, and several cousins.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joe; one sister in infancy, Maria Wiggenjost; brother Ralph Wiggenjost; and sister Iona Siegrist and brother-in-law Jim Siegrist; brothers-in-law Brian and Neal Bezoenik.
Mass is at 10:00am on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Escondido, California.
Services in Fort Madison, Iowa are pending with final rest at Gethsemane Cemetery, Fort Madison, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Escondido, California, St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Escondido, California or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Madison, Iowa.
What’s your fondest memory of Virginia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Virginia?
Share a story where Virginia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Virginia you’ll never forget.
How did Virginia make you smile?