VIRGINIA LEE AINSLIE GARHART

May 3, 1944–June 16, 2024

Virginia Lee Ainslie Garhart, 80 years old, of Osage, Wyoming, passed away June 16, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

She was born in Chadron, Nebraska, to William “Bill” Ainslie and Elsie (LaRue) Williams Ainslie on May 3, 1944. She graduated from Lusk High School in 1962.

Virginia married Leonard “Gene” Eugene Garhart on Jan. 28, 1962, in Newcastle, Wyoming. To this union, four children were born. Virginia worked as a waitress/cook at the Sioux Truck Stop in Newcastle; she worked at and later managed the Deckers Food Center bakery for 36 years before retiring in 2007. Virginia was an active member of the Osage Women’s Club. She enjoyed bowling league, crocheting, reading, playing cards, board games and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Dwight Garhart of Osage, Wyoming, Tony (Becky) Garhart of Upton, Wyoming, and Myrna Garhart of Piedmont, South Dakota, as well as 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard “Gene” Garhart; her parents, Bill and LaRue Ainslie; brother, Vernon Ainslie; sister, Elizabeth Ann Ainslie; daughter, Donna Garhart; and granddaughter, Nicole Garhart Ellsbury.

A viewing is planned for Saturday, June 22, at Meridian Mortuary in Newcastle from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Services are scheduled for Sunday, June 23, at Kitty Moats School in Osage, at 4 p.m. A burial will follow at the Garhart Family Cemetery in Osage.

Condolences may be sent to Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railway Ave., Newcastle, WY 82701 or expressions of sympathy may also be made online at meridianmortuary.com.