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Submitted: 8/13/23 • Approved: 8/18/23 • Last Updated: 8/21/23 • R275315-G275315-S3
Virgil Victor Mundhenke was born February 22, 1930 to his parents, William and Henrietta Mundhenke, who were living on a farm in Willow Lake, South Dakota. Virgil had three older siblings Stan, Ernie and Hazel.
Depression and drought caused his family to move to Watertown, then Aberdeen South Dakota where Virgil attended elementary and middle school. His father started “Mundhenke Oil”. His father became sick with cancer, so the family and business moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he could get medical treatment. Virgil’s father passed away when he was 15 years old. Virgil graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1948. He played football and baseball, and his classmates all thought he was “swell”.
Virgil served in the air force from 1951 to 1953 at air force bases in Texas, New York and Washington, DC.
June 8, 1956, Virgil married Verla Popkes. They had three wonderful daughters: Lori, Susan and Kathy. In 1963, the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where Virgil was in group sales for Mutual of Omaha.
Virgil and Verla retired early in their late 50’s and celebrated with a trip around the world.
They moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1991 to fulfill and long-time dream of living on a lake. During their time there, Susan married Tom Neville, and Kathy married Jeff Murray. They had three beautiful granddaughters, Hannah, Lindsey & Erin. Virg enjoyed golfing, boating and the lake, and being with his family! They enjoyed their life on Lake Hamilton for 21 years.
During their period in Hot Springs, Verla applied for a job teaching grade school for the Department of Defense overseas. They snapped her up, and they picked up their suitcases, closed up the house and headed out for a new chapter in their lives. Verla taught at bases in Yokoska- Japan, Panama City, Zama-Japan, and Naples-Italy. Virgil enjoyed being Verla’s househusband, chauffer, school room helper, and partner in all things fun.
Virgil and Verla moved to Overland Park, Kansas in 2011 to be closer to their family. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Virgil passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and daughters July 17th, 2016
He is survived by his wife Verla, daughters Lori, Susan and Kathy, son-in-law’s Tom Neville & Jeff Murray, and granddaughters Hannah, Lindsey & Erin. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Henrietta Mundhenke, brothers Stan and Ernie Mundhenke, and sister Hazel Mundhenke Workman.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 20th at
Wesley Chapel at Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Ave
Leawood, KS 66209
Contributed on 8/13/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275315