Virginia Fogg

VIRGINIA BORG FOGG Click here to view Virginia's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Escorted by the Heavenly Angels that had been appointed to watch over her, Virginia Borg Fogg left her earthly home on Sunday morning, February 21, 2010. Virginia was born December 4, 1914, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Orin and Elva Bybee Jenkins. She was the seventh of nine siblings. Virginia's childhood was spent in a little yellow house just across the road from the lot that would one day be the site of the Idaho Falls Temple. There was much love in that home. Her father nicknamed her "Binney." Her mother and father taught her to be self-confident and reach for the higher things in life. Her only sister, Florence or "Sis" as she was known to her family, was married and lived on a farm in Roberts. Virginia spent her summers helping Sis care for her children, cook for the farmhands, and feed the bum lambs. She learned to work hard, and she learned that she liked city life far better than farm life. In high school she was elected Yell Leader at Idaho Falls High School. She had a comical role in the operetta and enjoyed acting and drama. A lover of good literature, books were constant companions throughout her life. Towards the end of her high school years Virginia's father hired a Norwegian painter, Franz Borg, to paint his house. Orin liked the painter and his son, Jonas, who worked with him. He thought Jonas should meet his daughter, Virginia, and arranged for that to happen. That began a wonderful summer courtship for Jonas Borg and Virginia Jenkins. They shared a love of good books, beautiful mountain scenery, and antique furniture and log houses. Virginia and Jonas were married February 18, 1933. Their first child, a sweet little daughter, Jeaniene, was born the following year. They started to save and plan for their dream home, a little log home. Pop Jenkins matched their $50 with his $50 and they were able to purchase a lot on the corner of K Street and Sage. They started by hand digging a basement. When it was finished they ordered the logs for the exterior walls. They lived in that basement while they finished building the home, never going into debt. Their second child Tom was six before they were able to move up from the basement to their "Viking Palace on the Hill." They were gloriously happy there and welcomed two more sons, Joe and Robert, into the family. Fourteen years after their wedding Jonas and Virginia were sealed to each other and their children in the Idaho Falls Temple. Two sons, David and Steven, completed the family. They all loved their beautiful, rustic, home on the hill, where the view of the sacred temple was framed by their large front window. In 1957, Jonas acquired a leased lot at Calamity Mountain near the Palisades Dam. The family, which now included two little granddaughters, started building a log cabin in the forest. They first set up a tent house to camp in while the cabin was being built. Summer weekends were spent working on the cabin, attending church in Swan Valley. Everything was paid for as they went along and the cabin was finished in the fall of 1970. A generation of grandchildren remembers walking with Grandma in what she named, "the Sacred Forest." Our family is grateful to Jonas and Virginia for the memories made building the cabin and the mountain retreat where we can rest from the cares of the world. When Jonas died in December, 1970, so soon after finishing the cabin, Virginia wrote, "I felt like I was dying too. My children were all wonderful, the way they held me up in this great trial that had come upon me!" But she knew life had to go on and she was blessed with strength to do so. Before Jonas' death Virginia had started selling Tupperware to help with the expense of the boys schooling and missions. For the first time she learned to drive. She was very successful and was named the top saleswoman in Idaho. Jonas could hardly believe it when she was given a new Ford car as a reward for her sales. Virginia was lonely in her home after Steven left on his mission. She prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help her find a companion. She met Boyd Denney at a church dance. She described him as a handsome, tall man, clean and religious. Boyd was a dairy farmer in the Blackfoot area. They lived on his farm for awhile, but she missed her log home in the city. Boyd sold the farm and they moved to her home in Idaho Falls. She and Boyd spent their winters in Arizona. When they were at home in Idaho Falls, they enjoyed working together at the temple. Boyd and Virginia had been married 17 years when he passed away. After five years of being alone, Virginia married Russell Fogg. Russ was an old family friend and theirs was a good match. They were both still full of energy and enjoyed going to Arizona together in the winters and traveling to Germany and Israel. They lived in Russ' home. Mother continued to live in his home after his death, until her own passing. She frequently expressed her gratitude for having the blessing of being married to three good men. Virginia was an elegant and eloquent lady. She left us a legacy of love, testimony, and prayer. Being a mother brought her great joy. All five of her sons served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, as have nine grandsons and one granddaughter. She was promised that her children would cluster around her in her old age and call her blessed. That promise has come to pass as we honor and revere the wonderful woman who is our mother. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sisters, Orin, Lavon, Floyd, Frances, Florence (Sis), Bish, Tom, and Carroll. Also, her three husbands, Jonas Berger Borg, J. Boyd Denney and Russell Fogg: her daughter, Jeaniene, Jeaniene's husband, Paul Empey, and their son, Kevin. We are happy at the thought of a special reunion in Heaven with Virginia, Jonas, their precious daughter, Jeaniene, Paul, and Kevin. She is survived by her sons and their wives, Tom and Sandra, Robert and Vicki, David and Regina, Steven and Lucinda, and Joe. At last counts she is grandmother to 24, great grandmother to 51, and great great-grandmother to 7. Up until the end of her life she would pray for each one by name. Funeral Services will be held at 12 Noon Saturday, February 27, 2010, at the Idaho Falls LDS South Stake Center, 2051 South Emerson. The family will greet friends and family on Friday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, and Saturday from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, Virginia would be honored to have donations made in her name to the Perpetual Education Fund (LDS Church), 50 East North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-1501. --------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Linda & Sean Neddo Tom & Sandi, We just wanted you to know we have been thinking of you and are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Norma Nelson norma.nelson22@yahoo.com We love you, special lady, you’ve been a very special part of our lives for the last 39 years, from the special bridal shower you gave me to our wonderful friendship all these years . . . you’ve taken care of all of us. It's our turn to take care of you . . . God be with you always, peace be with you till we meet again . . . to your dear family, our love goes with you always for this wonderful mother grandmother and sister, aunt . . . peace always . . . Dale and Linda Shearer lindale49@gmail.com David, Regina, Dave, and Tina - Steve and Lucinda - (and families) some of our favorite "cousin families", we send our loving condolences at the passing of your dear Mother/Grandmother. We are not going to be able to attend the funeral. My older sister has had open heart surgery, and we have planned to go to Ogden for a long weekend to help her family with whatever we can. In the meantime, one of my cousins has passed away and so we also have a funeral in SLC. But, we wanted to let you know that we are praying for you - that you may feel her close and be comforted. May you keep all the years of memories close to your hearts. When I recall those wonderful years of growing up in the 4th Ward, it certainly brings a flood of memories of your mother and your family. I remember your Mother bearing her testimony often and that greatly effected my own testimony and helped me grow in the Gospel. Your father must have been joyous to see her again after so many years! I love to think about those wonderful reunions as I'm sure you do too. My mother, I'm sure, has greeted her also - they were Bybee cousins, you know. Please convey our wishes to your entire family. Love, The Shearers - Dale and Linda Kam Cole-Long kam_b_c@yahoo.com Though you will miss her very much, you will see her and the rest of your family members soon. Thinking of you and your family. Maggi Jones Sister Fogg always livened our sacrament meetings with her delightful testimony and manner of speaking. Several of our ward's youth lovingly referred to her as "Prophet Fogg", as she had so much oratorical influence. I recall a patriotic speech she gave once, I believe it was honoring Independence Day. I was impressed that she had such a grasp of various resources from which to draw some of her material. She memorized ALL of her speech, including lengthy poetry. I enjoyed serving as her R.S. Visiting teacher, though it was I who learned. She is dear to me and a special person who will be sorely missed, but who will live on in my heart. My prayers and thoughts are with you, her Dear Family, as you now face one of your greatest trials in making do without her physical presence. May Heavenly Father comfort you and dry your tears. Floyd's son Jenks Condolence's to all the Borg family. God bless you. Thanks to Mom & Pop Jenkins for the wonderful family they had. Cousin Jenks Neil & Betty Barrus With love and sympathy from Boyd's daughter and husband. LeRoy and Ethel Rasmussen When you lose someone very precious, no one else can really know all that you feel-but please know that we are thinking of all of you, whom we have been friends with for 62 years. Virginia was a very special lady, and we were so glad we talked with her Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010 at church. Sorry, because of illness, we are unable to attend her funeral, but our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Clint & Julie Loveland cloveweb@gmail.com We were sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. Although she had a full and wonderful life, it's always hard to lose your mom! Your mom was always very gracious, kind, and friendly to us. Being in your home is a treasured memory for Julie and me. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Love Clint and Julie Bp. & Mrs. Douglas Ellsworth We add our condolences to those you have already received. We love Virginia and have missed her since her last winter in Arizona. We will never forget her. We especially loved to hear her bear her testimony and express her love for her Savior. What a wonderful example of faith she was to all who knew her! Sandy Wilde swilde@co.bonneville.id.us I would just like to tell you that I so sorry for the loss of your mom. What an elegant lady she was. We were neighbors for a number of years and still remember all the beautiful clothes and shoes she had. We all used to have so much fun together playing “no bears are out tonight” and playing in my playhouse. I have great memories of some of those years. Sandy (Hudman) Wilde