Virginia Lou Price

Virginia Lou Nelson Price was just shy of her 97^th birthday when she passed peacefully in her sleep. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin on August 18, 1926, and passed on August 1, 2023.

She was raised and went to school during the depression in Madison, Wisconsin. While in high school, many of her friends were drafted or joined the military to fight overseas during WWII. She often spoke of the hard times during the depression and how her mother brought in children with disabilities to live in their home. She also would fondly remember friends and boyfriends who had been killed during their service during the war.

She went on to attend college at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She was taught by notable psychologists and helped develop the WISC test that measured intelligence and IQ worldwide for decades to follow.  She later attended the University of Colorado, Boulder and the University of Northern Colorado where she took graduate classes in education. She then went on to teach kindergarten and 1^st grade back in Wisconsin. She considered teaching to be one of her greatest accomplishments. She loved children and remembered those students she taught for most of her life.

She met her husband Raymond Price while working at Tenney Park Beach in Madison. He offered her a ride home and Virginia started corresponding with Ray when he returned to his military service with the 82^nd Airborne as a paratrooper. After writing letters for a year, Ray returned to Madison, and they dated and eventually married on June 21^st, 1953. Virginia loved her time in Colorado so much, that she convinced Ray to move there in 1959.  They lived in the foothills on Lookout Mountain for over 40 years, where they raised their children Patricia and Elizabeth. Virginia loved the mountains and taught her girls a love for nature and an appreciation for the mountains. Ray and Virginia eventually moved “down to town” in Golden when the winters became too hard for them. They lived in Golden for over 25 years.

Over the years Virginia raised her girls, studied and collected antiques, loved to read -often reading up to 4 books a week, being one of the libraries most frequent patrons, had a passion for cooking and was a terrific cook, loved dogs, and tutored children with dyslexia. She loved her family and to the very end would frequently ask, “was I a good mother?” She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought her great joy and happiness.

Virginia was predeceased in death by her husband Raymond in March 2021. She is survived by her daughters Patricia Price Nelson (Clark) and children Kirsten and Justin. Elizabeth Jones (Scott) and children Ryan (Kat), Collin (Emma), Austin (Jess), Lauren (Tanner) Kussee. Great grandchildren Kinley, Adley, Titus, and Lydia Jones, with two more great-grandchildren on the way.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday August 7^th at 2:30 pm at the Golden Cemetery in Golden, Colorado.

Donations in Virginia’s name can be made to

CASA of Jefferson County

100 Jefferson County Parkway #2505

Golden Colorado 80419

Or

Forward Stride Center for equine therapies and activities

23838 Daniel Road

Beaverton Oregon 97078