Virginia Rita Kreikemeier was born on March 7, 1926 to Theodore “Ted” and Clara (Kroenke) Pieper on the family farm in Dodge County.  Virginia was a very bright adolescent and graduated from Dodge High School in 1942.  After high school, she took a job at the bank in Dodge.  On September 3, 1947, Virginia married John B. Kreikemeier at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dodge.  The couple farmed at the Kreikemeier home place before moving to West Point in 1982.

Virginia was a member of St. Boniface and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, and Catholic Daughters.  She was a deeply religious woman who spent many hours praying the rosary and her “Mother’s Love” prayer book.  Virginia enjoyed playing cards, square dancing and bowling.  She will be remembered for many things, especially for the devotion she showed toward her husband and children. 

Virginia is survived by her children, Carol (Richard) McGill of Fremont, Mary (Larry) Rihanek of Lincoln, John A. (Anita) of North Bend, Joan (Leon) Steffen of West Point, Marcia (Carmen) Klein of Bellevue, Kevin (Cherie) of West Point, Susan (Joe) Hodson of Omaha, and Thomas (Kris) of West Point; daughter-in-law Mary (Dean) Allen of Lee’s Summit, MO; 36 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandsons; sister, Mariann Poledna of Schuyler; and brother, Norbert (Delma) Pieper of Lincoln.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Clara Pieper; husband, John in 2015; sons, Patrick in 1983 and Bernard in 2003; son-in-law, Dan Slagle in 2001; and brother, Bernard Pieper.

John Bernard Kreikemeier was born on December 19, 1921 to Bernard 'Ben' and Bertha (Meister) Kreikemeier on the family farm near Monterey.  He was raised on the farm and attended St. Boniface School.  On September 3, 1947, John married Virginia Pieper at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dodge.  The couple farmed at the home place before moving to West Point in 1982.  John then worked for IBP and retired from Tyson after 25 years.

John was a member of St. Boniface and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and Snyder V.F.W.  He enjoyed playing cards, especially sheephead, and was a member of several card clubs.