Virginia (Schwenk) Haase passed away on Nov. 25, 2014, at the age of 104.

Virginia was born in Vale, Ore., to John C. Atkison and Nella L. Cole. She had two sisters - Bessie and Elizabeth. When Virginia was a small child her family moved to Long Beach, Calif.

Virginia started working young and, by the time she was in her mid-30s, she had several beauty salons from Long Beach to Palm Springs. She stayed in California until 1950. She saw a picture of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in a magazine and decided that was the place for her.

After coming to the Northwest, Virginia purchased and ran the Ridpath Beauty Salon for several years. She had a very good business sense for completing only 10 years of school. She still owned rental properties she purchased many years ago in the Spokane Valley.

Virginia had three children: Carolyn Stiner of Coeur d'Alene, Leonard Schwenk of Otis Orchards, Wash., and Robert Schwenk of Huntington Beach, Calif., eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Virginia loved family, traveling, playing bridge, entertaining friends, and fishing. She had a flair for life. Anyone who knew her would have to agree, Virginia lived it her way.

There will be a private gathering to honor her life with family and friends at her lake place this summer. Donations to the Hospice House of Spokane, P.O. Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210 in her memory would be appreciated.

Virginia, you will be missed.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Virginia's online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.