Virginia Lorene Bales

Virginia Lorene Bales, formerly of Osage, Wyoming, passed away in Sheridan, Wyoming at the age of 86 on June 18, 2025.  She was born in Napoleon, Missouri on January 14, 1939, to Ellis Alfred Collins and Ruth Coleman Collins.

In Virginia’s younger years she worked various interesting jobs, one of which was with Levi Strauss & Co. sewing jeans.  Later in life, Virginia completed an online course and obtained her dietician certificate.  She was very proud of this accomplishment.  Virginia then worked at Eventide/Sheridan Manor (currently Big Horn Rehabilitation) where, for many years, she ran the kitchen and managed the nutrition menu for the residents.  She was very well-loved and respected.  Virginia loved to cook and enjoyed having her grandkids stop often for lunch while she was working.  Virginia enjoyed cooking meals for people.  She was known for her cinnamon rolls, monkey bread, grout burgers, and cucumber-tomato salads, just to name a few.

She was co-owner and office manager for the construction business of VR Sales and Service in Osage, Wyoming for over 20 years.

Virginia was sarcastic, funny, and witty.  She very much enjoyed sewing, crocheting, listening to music, watching volleyball, and loved football.  She just loved sports in general.  She enjoyed watching the kids’ sports and shouting at referees when she disagreed with their calls.  It didn’t matter if they were games just for fun, she’d still let them have it.  She also loved going on drives to job sites with her husband Ray Knox, who passed away 11 years ago last April in Osage.  She loved animals, and she loved her dog Chally the 2^nd, whom she enjoyed taking for walks.

She had a large vegetable and plant garden where she spent many happy hours.  Virginia very much enjoyed playing cards and visiting with her home companion, Kim Soltis.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, Ray Knox.  She is survived by her sons Joseph Bales (Raschelle Richards) of Sheridan and Jan Bond (Marie) of Greybull, Wyoming; her daughters Nancy Sherman (Luke) of Sheridan; Gena Plooster (Kevin) of Black Hawk, SD; Tammi Barber of Payola, Kansas; and Denise Bond of Greybull, Wyoming; brother Leon (Teresa) Collins of Independence, Missouri; and by 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Virginia will be greatly missed. Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Local arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.