Virginia Lee (Bellows) Chittick passed away on July 11, 2021 at the age of 88 years. She was born on June 21, 1931, in Pawnee City, NE, the youngest child of Elsie (Moore) Bellows and John “Roy” Bellows.  Growing up in Pawnee City she enjoyed swimming, music, and close friendships that lasted throughout the years.  Virginia “Ginny” and her older sister Patricia also enjoyed many trips with their mother and close family friend Arthur (Doctor) Glider throughout the United States during their school years.  After Virginia graduated from Pawnee City High School in 1951, she attended Peru State College and taught country school in Pawnee County for two years before moving to Omaha, NE to work at Union Pacific Railroad.  She had many fun and treasured memories from these years that she liked to share.  From being rescued in a snow storm on a tractor from the country school to walking to work in Omaha from her apartment at 35th and Dodge to the Union Pacific building, further cementing her independent streak and strong will.

On January 22, 1956 Virginia married James “Jim” Chittick in Pawnee City and made their first home in an apartment above the current Blazing Bull restaurant while the farm house west of town went through the first of many remodels.  Soon they moved to the farm where they lived until moving to their current home in Pawnee City in 1984.  Jim and Ginny raised three children, Susan, Steven, and Mary while Jim farmed and Ginny worked at Pawnee City Public Schools for many years.  First as a teacher assistant and then as the grade school secretary and Lunch Program administrator.  Every student in Pawnee City Public Schools knew “Mrs. Chittick” and she knew every student for over 20 years. 

Ginny enjoyed belonging to multiple groups and clubs throughout the years including the ladies farm club, Coterie, PEO, and Mariners.  She also enjoyed bowling, square dancing, Sunday morning rides before church, and attending school events.  Many hours were spent on bleachers and in auditoriums watching not only her children but later the seven grandchildren participate in their many activities.  She could be seen at rodeos, wrestling, baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, softball and even hockey contests.  Ginny and Jim would also attend many band and vocal concerts, musicals, school plays and livestock shows at the county fair.  She did all of this while taking care of the home and family and remaining close to her mother and brothers and sisters. 

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie and John Bellows; her brothers and sisters-in-law Kenneth “Ken” and Bertha Bellows, James “Jim” and Virginia Bellows, and Richard “Dick” Bellows, her sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Allen Daubman, brother-in-law John Forneris; her parents-in-law, George and Helen Chittick; brother-in-law John “Jack” Chittick.

Those left to share memories include her husband, James; her children Susan (Mark) Moore, Steven (Angie) Chittick, Mary (Chuck Yearick) Ritchie; her grandchildren Lucas and Spencer (Chelsea) Moore, Cort (Kadie) and Clay Chittick, Montgomery (Kendra), Jillian and Max Ritchie; her great- grandchildren William and Ripleigh; her sister Phyllis Forneris; sister-in-law Dorothy Bellows; sister-in-law Helen Ann Neel and Charlene Chittick; and many nieces and nephews.  

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the Presbyterian/Christian Church in Pawnee City, Nebraska with Pastor Howard Blecha officiating. 

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. , with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2021 at the Presbyterian/Christian Church in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the Pawnee City Public Schools Education Foundation.

Interment will be in the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.