Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Virginia R. Ottinger, Age 85 passed away October 9, 2023 in Billings Montana. She was born July 19, 1938 in Davis City, Iowa to Layton and Doris (Hart) Baker.

Virginia attended Davis City Public Schools through 4th Grade until the Family moved to Greybull, Wyoming. She had 4 sisters and 2 brothers.

Virginia was well liked and popular in school, involved in various activities including the Art Editor of her Senior Yearbook. Virginia also became the first (and only) Freshman to become the Home Coming Queen. After her senior year, she worked on a Dude Ranch at Yellowstone National Park, then later became a Telephone Operator.

Virginia met and married Donald L Schneider in 1958, they had 2 children.

In 1963 the family moved to The Dalles Oregon, they lived there for a year then moved back to Wyoming, settling in Worland. A few years later she attended the Cosmetology School in Casper Wyoming. She owned and operated her own Hair Salon for Several years. In 1974 they decided to move back to Oregon and eventually settled in Newberg, where the kids finished public schools and Virginia once again had her own Beauty Shop (Blue Denim hair design).

Virginia and Don moved to SE Portland in the 80's and lived there for a few years then Don's work took them to Warrenton, Oregon. Virginia took a part time job at a Local Beauty Supply Store.

Virginia and Don Divorced in early 1988, She moved into an apartment outside of Astoria for a brief time then moved to Montana. She reconnected with her High School boyfriend Emmett Ottinger and they were married in August of 1988.

Virginia and Emmett lived in Laurel Montana until he took a position as main Ranch Hand for the Rawhide Ranch outside of Laurel. They lived there for several years and Virginia worked at the Laurel Care Home as the Activities Director, so she could be close to and watch over her mother. Virginia also became interested and involved with Ceramics. She opened her own Ceramics Shop, once they moved to Park City. Virginia was also part of the Local Ceramics board serving as their Treasurer multiple years, helping with State Shows, etc. She was awarded several 1st, 2nd or 3rd places in the Ceramic Shows through the years.

Virginia enjoyed baking and sewing for herself and others, was an avid reader, involved in her Church. She had many friends throughout her life that she continued staying in contact with from School, work, from where ever she had lived.

She is survived by her Sister Linda Nelson (WY), Brother Terry Baker (WY), several nieces and nephews throughout the US, her daughter & Son-in-Law: Doris & Cliff Rosson (OR), as well as one Grandson Guy S. Schneider (OR) and one Great Grandson Kaston Schneider.

She was preceded in death by her Parents: Layton Baker Sr. & Doris (Hart) Baker, 3 Sisters: Marjorie Smith, Evelyn Hillman, Rosella Nail, 1 brother: Layton Baker Jr a.k.a. "Bud", her Husband: Emmett Ottinger and her son: Donald L Schneider Jr.

Virginia requested no services to be held, her remains will be spread where Emmett's are at the Rawhide Ranch.

To share memories and or pictures, please visit:

https://www.smithfuneralchapels.com/obituaries/Virginia-R-Ottinger?obId=30126313