Virginia Lois King Tuss was born on her family's ranch home near Fryburg, in Billings County, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Verne and Cassie (Cheadle) King.
Virginia grew up on the family ranch where she began studying the violin at age 7. The entire family played piano and violin music and enjoyed classical literature. She attended Fryburg, North Dakota schools and graduated from Dickinson State College with music and education degrees. After moving to Boulder, Colorado, Virginia attended graduate school at the University of Colorado and loved working as an opera singer's studio accompanist.

In June 1957, Virginia married Philip J. Tuss. They made their home in Fort Peck, Montana where Virginia was employed as a high school music teacher and their daughter, Robin Joy, was born. The family moved to Fryburg, North Dakota in 1962 where they ranched on Virginia's parents' home place until May, 1965, when they moved to Spearfish, South Dakota.

Virginia continued to share her love of music while living in Spearfish. She taught strings in the Fine Arts Department at Black Hills State University and played in the Rapid City Symphony. She taught countless private music lessons and was a member of the South Dakota Music Teachers Association.

The Spearfish United Methodist Church was an important part of Virginia's life for 45 years. She participated in the adult choir, children's choir, Sunday school, and United Methodist Women's groups.

Virginia was a wonderful mother and grandmother who cherished the loving bond with her family. Being with her grandchildren brought her great joy and happiness. Her love for her grandchildren kept her rejoicing in each new day as she watched them grow and helped them learn of God, music, and nature.

Throughout her life, Virginia practiced being kind and caring to others. Position, money, background were unimportant to Virginia; she looked beyond all that. She found great enjoyment in her flowers and all of God's creation. Virginia was a life-long avid reader who always believed in learning something new every day.

Virginia's strong faith in the Lord was evident through the way she lived her life. She was a remarkable lady who will be missed very much by her family and her many friends.

Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Robin (husband Randy Barranger) of Shakopee, Minnesota and her three grandchildren, Nickolas, Kipton, and Callise.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Philip J. Tuss; her parents; and her brothers, Robert King and Howard King.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 11, 2010, at the Spearfish United Methodist Church with Pastor Dar Berkenpas officiating. A private family burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.