Virginia Carlson Kipper

Virginia Margaret Carlson Kipper passed away Monday morning, October 14, 2024. She was born to Hilmer Erick and Esther Marie Carlson on August 25, 1922 in Burlington, Iowa, as was her mother and grandmother, Mary Krueger Higgins. For her first three years Virginia lived in Burlington, then moved to Aurora, Illinois, where she and her younger brother Theodore (Ted) Harold Carlson grew up. She graduated from West Aurora High School in 1940. After graduation from North Central College in 1944, Virginia used her drafting and art minors plus summer experience working at Barber Greene Company to enlist in the United States Navy, following in the footsteps of her father and brother Ted. She was stationed at the Hydrographic Office, just outside of Washington, DC and worked as a WAVE cartographer specialist, third class under the direction of Mary Sears. The recently published book Lethal Tides documents the remarkable contribution of this team to America’s war effort in the Pacific theater during WWII. Virginia was a continuous member of the America Legion for 75 years and wore her hat proudly every Veteran’s Day! After honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Virginia worked as a draftsman (woman) for a kitchen design company in Los Angeles. She was an early pioneer as a female professional in the 1940’s, not an easy row to hoe. Ted was attending Oregon State College and soon the entire family relocated to Corvallis. Virginia enrolled in OSC, earning her Master’s degree in Home Economics in 1950. Her thesis “Considerations in Planning a Women’s Cooperative House” was used by architects in the construction of Azalea House at OSC. She was hired as an Associate Professor in Home Economics Extension at OSC, a County Agent for both Lane and Benton Counties and then a State Extension Agent. For years each summer Virginia enjoyed judging food products at county fairs, granges and the state fair. At OSC she met Charles Harold Kipper and they were married at the First Presbyterian Church, Corvallis, Oregon on March 26, 1952. They moved to 29th Street in 1956, where they raised their cherished family and lived for over 50 years. One of Virginia’s specialties was planning and hosting gatherings - holidays, various clubs and birthdays. Rooting for OSU Beavers was Virginia’s passion - season ticket holders for both football and basketball for decades. The Oakland A’s, then later the Seattle Mariners were her summertime teams. Her love of competition led to joining a “contest club”, which then led to many prizes being delivered to 29th street – even a Schwinn Stingray bike, courtesy of the Cap’n Shipwreck show, and a Sony mini-transistor TV. Later in life, golf was Virginia’s game and she regularly exercised into her 90’s. We are convinced that this competitive spirit and her eternal optimism were key to 102 years of forward motion. Virginia is survived by sons Robert (Julie) and Richard Kipper, daughter Janet Shattuck, granddaughter Jaelin Shattuck, nephews Ted (Wendy) and Eric (Kari) Carlson, niece Judy (Duane) Hulbert and numerous cousins who were very dear to her. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother. A celebration of life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis on Monday, November 11th at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. Donations in Virginia’s name can be made to Corvallis Community Thrift Shop (formerly OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop) or OSU Alumni Association.

Virginia Carlson Kipper

August 25, 1922 - October 14, 2024