Virginia (Williams) Appleby, 81, of Elk City died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Virginia was born Feb. 2, 1931, in Omaha to Charles and Jenny (Tizor) Williams. She grew up on the family farm west of Elkhorn near the Elkhorn River. Virginia received her schooling in Elkhorn, graduating from Elkhorn High School in 1949 as valedictorian of her class. Virginia married Bill Appleby on Nov. 28, 1953, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn and to this union five children were born: James, Tom, Kathy, Linda and John. Virginia and Bill raised their family on several farms near Elk City. Virginia had worked for the phone company, the Ponderosa and Washington bars, Elkhorn Legion Club and Mount Michael. She enjoyed her flower garden, feeding the birds, cooking, sewing and playing cards. Virginia was active with her children in 4-H and later with the Valley Legion Auxiliary and Arlington Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. She was a kind, patient and helpful woman whose home was always a favorite gathering place for her extended family. Virginia enjoyed puzzles and solitaire but her passion was being involved in the lives and activities of her children and grandchildren. Virginia is survived by her husband, Bill; sons and daughter-in-law, Jim and Marilyn of Elk City and John of Elk City; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Todd Schmidt of Arlington and Linda and Mark Spenner of West Point; grandchildren, Trevor and Shelby Spenner and Tanner and Bradie Schmidt; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary and Fred Anderson of Arlington, Nancy Weldon of Beatrice, Marie Williams of Bennington and Doug and Mary Appleby of Burnsville, Minn.; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Jenny; son, Tom; brothers, Wes and Fred; and sister, Pearl. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be in Elk City Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Elk City Cemetery.