Vera King

Vera Jean King, nicknamed Vig by her sister Marilyn who as a small child could not pronounce Vig`s legal name, passed away peacefully on Tues, June 2, at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. In her last days, numerous friends sat vigil with Vig, also known to many as Jean; her friends Kathy and Tess were at her side when she died; Geralyn also visited with Vig shortly before she died.

Vig was born in Moorhead, MN to Lora Yeatts King and Marlin O. King. She grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, where she attended their public schools and the Baptist church. She received both her BA (Education: English and Speech) and MA (Education: Guidance and Counseling) from the University of Northern Iowa.

Vig led an adventurous, diverse and hard-working life. She held a number of professional jobs, including as an English teacher at various schools from 1956-1973, the latter position at Stoughton High School. From 1973-1984, she lived and worked on a Christmas tree farm outside Coloma, WI, with two other women. The farmhouse welcomed many friends, and boasted pets of all descriptions (including a monkey) as well as nearly every kind of production animal known to the Midwest.  During those years, she also owned and operated a lunch wagon where she traveled to farm auctions.  In addition, she worked seasonally at a family-owned restaurant, Two Lakes, near Almond, WI.

From 1980-1986, Vig worked at the Wild Rose School District in WI.  She served as a teacher and also visited labor camps to enroll migrant students in school and serve as a community resource for the families. Because most of her students were Spanish speaking, in 1980, she attended a ten-week Spanish immersion course focused on the Spoken Language, in Cuernavaca, Mexico. In the summers of 1983-1985, Vig acted as the Area Principal in the Wild Rose Migrant Summer School, supervising a staff of 25.

From 1986-2004, Vig worked at the YWCA in downtown Madison, first as a residence counselor and after retirement half time as the front desk clerk.  These positions allowed Vig to utilize her many skills and talents, which included to provide counseling, assist with creation of programs for residents and work on grant proposals and reports.

Vig also engaged in a variety of outside activities/hobbies.  These include canoeing, camping, rock climbing, tennis, golf, gardening and reading.  However, her two life passions included playing bridge and choral and informal singing. Her bridge friends found ways to allow her to play at the end of her life, although she was then legally blind.  And those who knew her were often treated to little ditties of songs – her repertoire spanned generations, genres and musical diversity from simple to complex. She enthusiastically embraced and enjoyed music.

Vig is survived by her niece’s husband, Tom Willoughby, and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Marlin and Lora King; her sister Marilyn and Marilyn’s children, Vig’s niece Cheryl Willoughby and nephew Michael George Hurst. She is also preceded by many dear friends, including (but NOT limited to) Marie Weber, Jane Caryer, Donna Biddle, Joey Sherman, and members of her Bridge Club.

Her loving friends are grateful for the services provided by Dr Leila Midelfort through the years; to staff and friends at The Heritage where she spent her last years; and to all the Agrace Hospice workers who came to her home (thank you, Mary Jo and whomever provided her bathing services) and those who cared for her during her 11-day transition at the Agrace Center. You are all her Angels of Mercy and Care.

Vig’s Memorial Service is on Wed, June 10 at 10am, at the Ryan Funeral Home WEST, 6728 Mader Drive in Madison, 608-274-1000. IF you were one of the folks known affectionately as “the gang” who received a poem written for and about you by Vig, please bring it with you to the Memorial Service. She requested we share memories and read the poems she wrote for us.  In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice in her name.