Virginia Dexter

Wyoming native, Virginia Louise Darling Dexter, age 87, died peacefully in her sleep at St. John's Living Center in Jackson, Wyoming, on November 29, 2012. She was born November 12, 1925, to Kenneth & Gladys (Shelton) Darling. She spent all of her younger years in Rock Springs, graduating from Rock Springs High School as the valedictorian of the Class of 1943. She received the Gros Ventre award in her Freshman year, and as a Senior received an award as outstanding commercial student, was a member of Gros Ventre, and an honorary member of the Thespian Society. She then went on to attend the University of Wyoming, graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in May of 1947. In February of 1947 she was elected to membership in the honorary societies of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa as a student in the top 10% of her class. She was also a member of the Kappa Kappa Gama sorority and shared many fond memories of her adventures with her sorority sisters during the war years. She married William T. Brack on September 1, 1946 and enjoyed working for Dean Bruce at the University of Wyoming while she & her husband attended school. The couple moved back to Rock Springs following Virginia's graduation where they had two daughters. They were later divorced. Virginia was then employed at the Rock Springs National Bank until her marriage to Raymond W. Dexter in 1954. The newlyweds and her two daughters then moved to Casper, Wyoming. Throughout the years in Casper she was employed as a bookkeeper, served as president of the PTA for several years and also as a girl scout leader. Once her daughters were in college, she returned to the University of Wyoming to obtain her Masters degree in Psychology. Returning to Casper, she was employed as a therapist at the Wyoming State Children's Home. She retired from that position in 1977 in order to care for her father who was then suffering from Alzheimer's disease. She then volunteered for the Literacy program and became deeply involved in genealogy and the genealogical society. Virginia was an accomplished pianist and in her later years she and her husband enjoyed learning to play the organ. In the spring of 2005,following an extended illness, she moved to River Rock Lodge Assisted Living Facility in Jackson, Wyoming. She enjoyed several years of good health in her apartment looking out on the Teton Range, particularly enjoying living in an area of the state where "the wind was not a constant". With another decline in health in January of 2012, she moved to St. John's Living Center in Jackson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ray, her son-in-law, James Cottam, her grand-daughter, Kyann Cottam, and great grand-daughter, Rachelle Cottam. She is survived by her daughters, Cindy Knight and Katherine Cottam, both of Jackson, and her grandsons, Cody Knight (Lauren) of Savannah, Georgia, Danny Cottam & Jim Cottam both of Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by her cousin & long-time friend Leola Kaumo and her family of Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Private services will be held in Casper at a later date with internment at the Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery beside her husband. The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the staff at River Rock Lodge who made her stay there so enjoyable. They would also like to thank the staff at St. John's Living Center for their loving & devoted care. Donations in her memory may be made to Teton Youth & Family Services, P.O. Box 2631, Jackson, WY 83001.

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