Virginia Keyes Robertson

Virginia (Keyes) Robertson was born on January 19, 1931 in Evanston, Wyoming. She passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025 in her home in Evanston, Wyoming surrounded by her family, leaving a legacy of love and devotion.

Virginia was raised in Evanston, Wyoming. She was one of eight children and enjoyed spending time with family, especially when they would visit the Jackson Lake Lodge. Growing up she loved working outside and especially loved working alongside her dad in the garden. Their love for the outdoors created a special bond between them and she always had fond memories of the time they spent together. Those memories lasted throughout her life. She played the piano and accordion and was very talented at both. She had a beautiful alto voice and loved to sing. She graduated from Evanston High School in 1949. She married her high school sweetheart, Vern Robertson, on June 4, 1949 in Evanston, Wyoming. Together they had seven children.

Virginia was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in various capacities throughout her life and loved serving those around her. One of her favorite callings was serving as a temple worker in the Ogden, Utah temple. She did this for several years and enjoyed her experiences there.

Throughout her life, Virginia was known for her hard work and dedication to her family. She worked alongside our dad Vern, building our home. She worked at various places to help support our family including Cornet’s, New Paris Café, and the graveyard shift at Wyoming State Hospital. She would also iron clothes in our home for community members to make extra money. She was known as being the first lady employed by the United States Postal Service in Evanston, Wy. She worked at the counter and sorted mail. She also had a delivery route. There was no mail delivery trucks at this time, so she would walk her route and carry the mail on her back. After several years, she left the Post Office to join the Union Pacific Railroad as a clerk and other positions with them before retiring. During retirement she spent some time working for the United States Forest Service as well as in the gift shop at the Evanston Regional Hospital during her spare time. She was an exceptional employee and was very devoted to every job she held.

Virginia was not only a hard worker; she also loved to serve her family and friends in the community. She was an exceptional artist. She painted the mural for her daughter Colleen’s Sr. Prom and other miscellaneous pictures. She was an avid baker and everyone loved her pies, bread, and scones. She continued gardening throughout her life and would spend each fall canning with dad. She was an excellent seamstress. She made all of her children’s clothes growing up, sewed prom dresses and bridesmaid dresses. She helped sew all of the drill team uniforms for the high school. It was a tradition at the annual Cowboy Days that we all wore the same clothes, so she made us all matching outfits. She loved sewing for friends and family.

Virginia was always willing to support the community and participated in various community projects. She had many great friends that she enjoyed spending time with. She especially loved bowling, playing canasta or pinnacle, and golfing. She enjoyed traveling and cruising with friends and family. In the summer, she spent time camping and boating. She loved playing games with her children and grandchildren. She was very competitive in everything she did. She was known for her spunky personality and her ability to make others laugh and smile.

Virginia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was the heart of her family. The family looked up to her and turned to her when they were in need. She was always willing to care for those around her and she enjoyed being able to help her sisters take care of her mom before she passed away. This caretaking also included helping take care of Vern when he got sick. She loved taking him for car rides and to get hotdogs and ice cream. Her kindness and generosity were very evident to all who knew her.

Virginia will be deeply missed by her surviving family members: her children Vern (Peggy) Robertson, Colleen Roberts, Richard (Barb) Robertson, Terry (Herb) Brimhall, Nancy Robertson, Sharon (John) Lesniak, and Cheryl (Aaron) Shepherd. Additionally, she leaves behind 23 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, and 20 great great-grandchildren; marking five generations of family.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Sarah Elsie (Smethurst) Keyes; her former husband, Vern Robertson; her son Russell Harry Robertson; her siblings, Ted (Kate) Keyes, Kenneth (Bernice) Keyes, Elsie Louise Keyes, Evelyn (Gilbert) Geiger, Betty (Dee) Cox, Josephine (Don) Nicholes, Jennie Ann (Roger) Keeler; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and a great great-granddaughter Kyrae Harleyann Vineyard.

Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, at 251 Elm Street in Evanston, Wyoming on Tuesday August 19, 2025 at 2:00 pm. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 12:30-1:45 pm in the same building.

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Aspire and Symbi Home Health Care for the loving care they provided to Virginia over the past several years. She loved you all and was so blessed to have you in her life during these difficult times.