Virginia Lewis Richardson

LOGAN, UTAH - Virginia Stolpe Lewis Richardson, 90, passed away on Friday May 15, 2009. She was born March 20, 1919, in Topaz, Idaho, to Brady and Amelia Feller Stolpe. She married Elroy Robertson Lewis on June 24, 1943 in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple. To this union was born six children: Carolyn, Stephen Stolpe, Marie, Philip Stolpe, twins Kay and Kent Stolpe. Following the death of Elroy in November 1977, she married Edmund Arlo Richardson on May 3, 1986 for time in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple. He also preceded her in death on August 12, 1990.
Virginia graduated with a degree in Home Economics Education from Utah State University in 1941. She started her teaching career in Cowley, Wyoming where she met her husband and spent 20 years of her life there. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While her children were growing up, Virginia was the Primary President of the Cowley Ward and later became the Big Horn Stake Drama Director. She has also been a teacher in all of the Church auxiliaries. In 1962, she received a Masters Degree in Clothing and Textiles and Interior Design at Oregon State University. She also attended other universities and studied design in New York City. During a sabbatical from Utah State University, she studied at the great fashion houses of Europe.
While having taught for 30 years at elementary, secondary, and college levels, she enjoyed her experiences at the college level best. She taught at Utah State University for 22 years, starting in 1962 and retiring in 1984. While at Utah State University, she developed the HECE Interior Design Program. Virginia was also instrumental in the accreditation of the program by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). While directing the Fashion Design Program at U.S.U., she encouraged her fashion design students to develop their creativity and talents by sponsoring fashion design contests. During this period, two of her students won the National "Make it Yourself With Wool" contest. While directing the Fashion Merchandising Program, she placed outstanding students in positions throughout California, Nevada, and Utah. These experiences provided an excellent foundation for many students who are now successful in the fashion industry. Virginia often taught extension classes in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Brigham City. She was recognized as a state leader in working with Home Economics Educators and has published several college text books and articles.
After retirement as an Associate Professor from Utah State University, Virginia served as an officiator in the Logan L.D.S. Temple for 10 yeas and served on three missions for the L.D.S. Church. One of her missions was at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. With her second husband Arlo Richardson, she served in the Texas San Antonio Mission and the England London Mission as Directors of the Family History Center at Hyde Park.
She is survived by her children Carolyn (Lynn) Kay, Logan, Utah; Marie (Stephen) Harward, East Layton, Utah; Philip Stolpe (Carla) Lewis, Bakersfield, California; Kay (Kent) Haueter, Smithfield, Utah; and Dr. Kent Stolpe (Ruth) Lewis, South Jordan, Utah; 27 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Katherine Stolpe Bullock, Salt Lake City, Utah. She was preceded in death by her two husbands Elroy Robertson Lewis and Edmund Arlo Richardson; her infant son Stephen; brothers, Manuel Stolpe and Fred Stolpe; sisters Gladys Stolpe and Adeline Christensen; and half-brother Frankie Mitchell.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Monday, May 18, 2009 in the Lundstrom Park 3rd Ward Chapel at 1260 North 1600 East in Logan. Friends may call from 10-11:30 prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .
A special thanks to Jan and Delene from Integrity Hospice and to Ruth, Tressia, Bridget, and Sarah who gave her compassionate care.