Virginia L. Herbig, 89

On Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, Virginia “Ginny” Herbig peacefully left this world at her Kalispell, Mont., home, surrounded by members of her loving family, just missing her 90th birthday. In September, family and friends gathered to celebrate this milestone early, and we want to express our gratitude for their presence. 

Virginia was born Nov. 29, 1933, in Spokane, Wash., to Ephraim Peter Sulzle and Florence Marie Lenz Sulzle. She grew up in Spokane and Sandpoint, Idaho, graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1952. She obtained her associate's degree in interior design from Spokane Community College.

She married Harold Holbert "Herb" Herbig in 1956 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Together, they raised four children.

Herb and Ginny enjoyed a full and happy marriage, having celebrated 63 years at the time of Herb’s death in 2019. They moved from Fairbanks back to Montana, working and living in Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Billings, Great Falls, Missoula and then Butte. They eventually settled in the Flathead Valley upon retirement.

During her time in Butte, Virginia was an active member of the Catholic Church, working at the Immaculate Conception Church for several years. She also volunteered at the library at North Central Junior High School. 

Ginny enjoyed spending time with the family, cooking, reading, playing cards, and solving complex puzzles. An avid traveler, she enjoyed many adventures with family and friends within the U.S. and overseas. She took joy in utilizing her interior design degree to design and furnish the family home on Flathead Lake, a family gathering place for many wonderful years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herb; her parents, Pat and Florence; and her granddaughter, Kelly Rose Cortesi.

Virginia is survived by her four children and their spouses, Debora Walker, Douglas Herbig (Terri), Mary Cortesi and Gretchen Herbig Glasgow (Richard). She will be dearly missed by her brother, Timothy J. Sulzle (Sharon); and her sister, Marie O’Brien Green (Don). She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Matthew Walker (Brooke Booher), Kathleen Walker, Hannah Herbig, Heather Herbig Straus (Derek), Haley Herbig, and Kyle Cortesi; and great-grandchildren Dean and Mark Strauss, Chelsea, David and Emma Boden; and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and funeral services will be held Feb. 16, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Sandpoint.