Obituary of Sara Virginia Gamble

Sara Virginia Gamble, 1920 - 2019

Sara Virginia Gamble, a resident of the Commons at Eagle Crest in Roseville, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2019. She was born in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, on April 17, 1920, the first of two children of T. Harry and Fern Liggett. She was a graduate of Mt. Ayr High School and Iowa State University (BSc.). On April 20, 1943, she married William K. Gamble, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gamble of Shenandoah, Iowa.

She was known to most as “Virginia”, having dropped the “Sara” at a young age. She taught high school science in Livermore, Iowa, and accompanied her husband when possible while he served as a Navy pilot during World War II. After the war, the couple returned to Iowa State University where William completed his BSc. and Master’s Degrees, and their first child Timothy was born.

Over the next 30 years, Virginia accompanied her husband while he engaged in agricultural education, research and development in Africa, Asia and Latin America. William and Virginia had two more children, Thomas (born in Omaha, Nebraska) and Kathleen (born in Rangoon, Burma). Virginia made a comfortable home wherever they were living and was welcoming to guests and travelers. She was good at organizing dinner parties and menus and was known for her soufflés and her brownies. When it came time to retire, they settled in Minnesota and Wisconsin to be close to family.

In high school Virginia played the flute in band and orchestra, and later played in the Iowa State University orchestra. Her love of music continued over the years as she played a pump organ

for church in Burma and was in a recorder group in Africa. She also enjoyed participating in women’s groups around the world. One of her trademarks was her silver jewelry and she always had on several silver bracelets to the delight of her granddaughters.

She is survived by her husband of over 76 years, William Keith Gamble, their children, Timothy (Karolyn), Thomas (Jennifer) and Kathleen and their families, her sister Jean Burnham, and many relatives and friends. Burial will be at the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, St. Paul, MN. A private Celebration of Life will be arranged by the family.