Virginia Elise Lowther
Virginia Elise (Briix) Lowther, 80, Emporia, KS, died Sunday, December 25, 2011 at the Emporia Presbyterian Manor, following a two-year battle with cancer. Born in Herington, KS on July 1, 1931, she was the daughter of Robert Clyde Briix (Marie Boyer) and Wanda Ione Zirkle (Frank Jilka). They and a sister, Carolyn Lee, preceded her in death.
She attended grade school at Delavan, KS, and graduated from Herington High School in 1949 as Salutatorian of her class. She graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1953 with a B.S. degree in business.
She married James E. Lowther on Jan. 29, 1955 in Herington. He survives. She is also survived by two daughters: Rebecca L. Doan (John), Wichita, KS, and Anne E. Downing (George), Rose Hill, KS; four grandchildren, Rachel Dillon, Colorado Springs, CO, Jane Guilfoyle, Colby, KS, Gregory Guilfoyle, Flagstaff, AZ, and Paige Downing, Rose Hill, KS; and a sister, Bonita Thompson, McPherson, KS.
Mrs. Lowther was involved in the Emporia community. She was a member of the Emporia Presbyterian Church and served on the church Mission/Building Fund as secretary. She was a member and past president of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and served as treasurer of the Alumni Association. She was active in obtaining financing to build the present sorority house at 226 W. 12th. She served as president of the board of the Emporia Public Library during construction of the present library building. During her college years and for a while afterward, she worked in the Placement Office at Emporia State University. In later years, she worked for Heath & Bloxom Insurance Agency.
Her memberships included the Emporia Arts Council, P.E.O. Chapter HY, Research Study Club, Futures Unlimited Investment Club, and a book club. She previously served on the Newman Hospital Auxiliary, the Junto Study Club, the Social Service Club, Kansas Legislative Spouses, the bell choir at First Presbyterian Church, the SOS Board, the Lyon County Museum Board and the Howe House Board, the Emporia Main Street design committee, and Friends of the Library. She was active politically, serving several years as the head judge of election boards and for many years she was elected as a Republican Precinct Committeewoman.
The doctors at the KU Cancer Center said Virginia was an amazing patient to endure so many treatments during her two-year struggle with cancer. Until only a few weeks before her strength began to fail, she was active and involved in activities, and she led a full life with many interests. She enjoyed music, especially, and also the arts. Her home was filled with paintings acquired over the years. She was an avid reader – novels, magazines and three newspapers. Her other interests included finance and investing, travel (from England to Athens, to Hawaii and Hong Kong), tennis, skiing, walking, playing bridge, Mahjongg, and cribbage, sports, especially KU Basketball. She skied and played doubles tennis for many seasons.
Virginia had many friends whom she appreciated. She spent many happy hours with them socially, and also in activities of common interest. Her life overflowed with her friends and her interests, yet her focus was foremost always her family.
Mrs. Lowther was cremated. Funeral service will be at the Emporia Presbyterian Church West Campus on December 31, 2011 at 11:00. Rev. Ron Phelps will conduct the service, with Ashley Masoni, Chaplain at the KU Medical Center, delivering the message. Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home is in charge. Private inurnment will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Emporia Public Library, Newman Regional Hospital Foundation, and the KU Cancer Center.
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The Council Grove Republican, 19 May 1942, Tuesday
Virginia Briix spent the week end with her cousin, Dorris (sic) Ek, at the George Briix home.
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The Council Grove Republican, 20 Aug 1942, Thursday
Henry Miller and Robert Briix drove to Council Grove Sunday morning to meet Virginia Briix who has been visiting at the Oscar Zscheile home in Burlington.
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The Council Grove Republican, 08 Jul 1943, Thursday
DELAVAN
Mr. and Mrs. George Briix were Wednesday evening supper guests at the Robert Briix home. Robert, who works at Grandview was home also. They all helped Virginia celebrate her birthday. Then Mrs. Briix and girls returned to Grandview with Robert.
Virginia Elise (Briix) Lowther, 80, Emporia, KS, died Sunday, December 25, 2011 at the Emporia Presbyterian Manor, following a two-year battle with cancer. Born in Herington, KS on July 1, 1931, she was the daughter of Robert Clyde Briix (Marie Boyer) and Wanda Ione Zirkle (Frank Jilka). They and a sister, Carolyn Lee, preceded her in death.
She attended grade school at Delavan, KS, and graduated from Herington High School in 1949 as Salutatorian of her class. She graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1953 with a B.S. degree in business.
She married James E. Lowther on Jan. 29, 1955 in Herington. He survives. She is also survived by two daughters: Rebecca L. Doan (John), Wichita, KS, and Anne E. Downing (George), Rose Hill, KS; four grandchildren, Rachel Dillon, Colorado Springs, CO, Jane Guilfoyle, Colby, KS, Gregory Guilfoyle, Flagstaff, AZ, and Paige Downing, Rose Hill, KS; and a sister, Bonita Thompson, McPherson, KS.
Mrs. Lowther was involved in the Emporia community. She was a member of the Emporia Presbyterian Church and served on the church Mission/Building Fund as secretary. She was a member and past president of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and served as treasurer of the Alumni Association. She was active in obtaining financing to build the present sorority house at 226 W. 12th. She served as president of the board of the Emporia Public Library during construction of the present library building. During her college years and for a while afterward, she worked in the Placement Office at Emporia State University. In later years, she worked for Heath & Bloxom Insurance Agency.
Her memberships included the Emporia Arts Council, P.E.O. Chapter HY, Research Study Club, Futures Unlimited Investment Club, and a book club. She previously served on the Newman Hospital Auxiliary, the Junto Study Club, the Social Service Club, Kansas Legislative Spouses, the bell choir at First Presbyterian Church, the SOS Board, the Lyon County Museum Board and the Howe House Board, the Emporia Main Street design committee, and Friends of the Library. She was active politically, serving several years as the head judge of election boards and for many years she was elected as a Republican Precinct Committeewoman.
The doctors at the KU Cancer Center said Virginia was an amazing patient to endure so many treatments during her two-year struggle with cancer. Until only a few weeks before her strength began to fail, she was active and involved in activities, and she led a full life with many interests. She enjoyed music, especially, and also the arts. Her home was filled with paintings acquired over the years. She was an avid reader – novels, magazines and three newspapers. Her other interests included finance and investing, travel (from England to Athens, to Hawaii and Hong Kong), tennis, skiing, walking, playing bridge, Mahjongg, and cribbage, sports, especially KU Basketball. She skied and played doubles tennis for many seasons.
Virginia had many friends whom she appreciated. She spent many happy hours with them socially, and also in activities of common interest. Her life overflowed with her friends and her interests, yet her focus was foremost always her family.
Mrs. Lowther was cremated. Funeral service will be at the Emporia Presbyterian Church West Campus on December 31, 2011 at 11:00. Rev. Ron Phelps will conduct the service, with Ashley Masoni, Chaplain at the KU Medical Center, delivering the message. Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home is in charge. Private inurnment will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Emporia Public Library, Newman Regional Hospital Foundation, and the KU Cancer Center.
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The Council Grove Republican, 19 May 1942, Tuesday
Virginia Briix spent the week end with her cousin, Dorris (sic) Ek, at the George Briix home.
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The Council Grove Republican, 20 Aug 1942, Thursday
Henry Miller and Robert Briix drove to Council Grove Sunday morning to meet Virginia Briix who has been visiting at the Oscar Zscheile home in Burlington.
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The Council Grove Republican, 08 Jul 1943, Thursday
DELAVAN
Mr. and Mrs. George Briix were Wednesday evening supper guests at the Robert Briix home. Robert, who works at Grandview was home also. They all helped Virginia celebrate her birthday. Then Mrs. Briix and girls returned to Grandview with Robert.
Virginia Elise Lowther
Virginia Elise (Briix) Lowther, 80, Emporia, KS, died Sunday, December 25, 2011 at the Emporia Presbyterian Manor, following a two-year battle with cancer. Born in Herington, KS on July 1, 1931, she was the daughter of Robert Clyde Briix (Marie Boyer) and Wanda Ione Zirkle (Frank Jilka). They and a sister, Carolyn Lee, preceded her in death.
She attended grade school at Delavan, KS, and graduated from Herington High School in 1949 as Salutatorian of her class. She graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1953 with a B.S. degree in business.
She married James E. Lowther on Jan. 29, 1955 in Herington. He survives. She is also survived by two daughters: Rebecca L. Doan (John), Wichita, KS, and Anne E. Downing (George), Rose Hill, KS; four grandchildren, Rachel Dillon, Colorado Springs, CO, Jane Guilfoyle, Colby, KS, Gregory Guilfoyle, Flagstaff, AZ, and Paige Downing, Rose Hill, KS; and a sister, Bonita Thompson, McPherson, KS.
Mrs. Lowther was involved in the Emporia community. She was a member of the Emporia Presbyterian Church and served on the church Mission/Building Fund as secretary. She was a member and past president of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and served as treasurer of the Alumni Association. She was active in obtaining financing to build the present sorority house at 226 W. 12th. She served as president of the board of the Emporia Public Library during construction of the present library building. During her college years and for a while afterward, she worked in the Placement Office at Emporia State University. In later years, she worked for Heath & Bloxom Insurance Agency.
Her memberships included the Emporia Arts Council, P.E.O. Chapter HY, Research Study Club, Futures Unlimited Investment Club, and a book club. She previously served on the Newman Hospital Auxiliary, the Junto Study Club, the Social Service Club, Kansas Legislative Spouses, the bell choir at First Presbyterian Church, the SOS Board, the Lyon County Museum Board and the Howe House Board, the Emporia Main Street design committee, and Friends of the Library. She was active politically, serving several years as the head judge of election boards and for many years she was elected as a Republican Precinct Committeewoman.
The doctors at the KU Cancer Center said Virginia was an amazing patient to endure so many treatments during her two-year struggle with cancer. Until only a few weeks before her strength began to fail, she was active and involved in activities, and she led a full life with many interests. She enjoyed music, especially, and also the arts. Her home was filled with paintings acquired over the years. She was an avid reader – novels, magazines and three newspapers. Her other interests included finance and investing, travel (from England to Athens, to Hawaii and Hong Kong), tennis, skiing, walking, playing bridge, Mahjongg, and cribbage, sports, especially KU Basketball. She skied and played doubles tennis for many seasons.
Virginia had many friends whom she appreciated. She spent many happy hours with them socially, and also in activities of common interest. Her life overflowed with her friends and her interests, yet her focus was foremost always her family.
Mrs. Lowther was cremated. Funeral service will be at the Emporia Presbyterian Church West Campus on December 31, 2011 at 11:00. Rev. Ron Phelps will conduct the service, with Ashley Masoni, Chaplain at the KU Medical Center, delivering the message. Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home is in charge. Private inurnment will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Emporia Public Library, Newman Regional Hospital Foundation, and the KU Cancer Center.
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The Council Grove Republican, 19 May 1942, Tuesday
Virginia Briix spent the week end with her cousin, Dorris (sic) Ek, at the George Briix home.
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The Council Grove Republican, 20 Aug 1942, Thursday
Henry Miller and Robert Briix drove to Council Grove Sunday morning to meet Virginia Briix who has been visiting at the Oscar Zscheile home in Burlington.
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The Council Grove Republican, 08 Jul 1943, Thursday
DELAVAN
Mr. and Mrs. George Briix were Wednesday evening supper guests at the Robert Briix home. Robert, who works at Grandview was home also. They all helped Virginia celebrate her birthday. Then Mrs. Briix and girls returned to Grandview with Robert.
Virginia Elise (Briix) Lowther, 80, Emporia, KS, died Sunday, December 25, 2011 at the Emporia Presbyterian Manor, following a two-year battle with cancer. Born in Herington, KS on July 1, 1931, she was the daughter of Robert Clyde Briix (Marie Boyer) and Wanda Ione Zirkle (Frank Jilka). They and a sister, Carolyn Lee, preceded her in death.
She attended grade school at Delavan, KS, and graduated from Herington High School in 1949 as Salutatorian of her class. She graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1953 with a B.S. degree in business.
She married James E. Lowther on Jan. 29, 1955 in Herington. He survives. She is also survived by two daughters: Rebecca L. Doan (John), Wichita, KS, and Anne E. Downing (George), Rose Hill, KS; four grandchildren, Rachel Dillon, Colorado Springs, CO, Jane Guilfoyle, Colby, KS, Gregory Guilfoyle, Flagstaff, AZ, and Paige Downing, Rose Hill, KS; and a sister, Bonita Thompson, McPherson, KS.
Mrs. Lowther was involved in the Emporia community. She was a member of the Emporia Presbyterian Church and served on the church Mission/Building Fund as secretary. She was a member and past president of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and served as treasurer of the Alumni Association. She was active in obtaining financing to build the present sorority house at 226 W. 12th. She served as president of the board of the Emporia Public Library during construction of the present library building. During her college years and for a while afterward, she worked in the Placement Office at Emporia State University. In later years, she worked for Heath & Bloxom Insurance Agency.
Her memberships included the Emporia Arts Council, P.E.O. Chapter HY, Research Study Club, Futures Unlimited Investment Club, and a book club. She previously served on the Newman Hospital Auxiliary, the Junto Study Club, the Social Service Club, Kansas Legislative Spouses, the bell choir at First Presbyterian Church, the SOS Board, the Lyon County Museum Board and the Howe House Board, the Emporia Main Street design committee, and Friends of the Library. She was active politically, serving several years as the head judge of election boards and for many years she was elected as a Republican Precinct Committeewoman.
The doctors at the KU Cancer Center said Virginia was an amazing patient to endure so many treatments during her two-year struggle with cancer. Until only a few weeks before her strength began to fail, she was active and involved in activities, and she led a full life with many interests. She enjoyed music, especially, and also the arts. Her home was filled with paintings acquired over the years. She was an avid reader – novels, magazines and three newspapers. Her other interests included finance and investing, travel (from England to Athens, to Hawaii and Hong Kong), tennis, skiing, walking, playing bridge, Mahjongg, and cribbage, sports, especially KU Basketball. She skied and played doubles tennis for many seasons.
Virginia had many friends whom she appreciated. She spent many happy hours with them socially, and also in activities of common interest. Her life overflowed with her friends and her interests, yet her focus was foremost always her family.
Mrs. Lowther was cremated. Funeral service will be at the Emporia Presbyterian Church West Campus on December 31, 2011 at 11:00. Rev. Ron Phelps will conduct the service, with Ashley Masoni, Chaplain at the KU Medical Center, delivering the message. Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home is in charge. Private inurnment will be at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Emporia Public Library, Newman Regional Hospital Foundation, and the KU Cancer Center.
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The Council Grove Republican, 19 May 1942, Tuesday
Virginia Briix spent the week end with her cousin, Dorris (sic) Ek, at the George Briix home.
****************************
The Council Grove Republican, 20 Aug 1942, Thursday
Henry Miller and Robert Briix drove to Council Grove Sunday morning to meet Virginia Briix who has been visiting at the Oscar Zscheile home in Burlington.
****************************
The Council Grove Republican, 08 Jul 1943, Thursday
DELAVAN
Mr. and Mrs. George Briix were Wednesday evening supper guests at the Robert Briix home. Robert, who works at Grandview was home also. They all helped Virginia celebrate her birthday. Then Mrs. Briix and girls returned to Grandview with Robert.
