Virginia Sweere

With heavy hearts, the family of Virginia Rose Sweere announces her passing on August 4, 2026, at the age of 98.

Virginia Rose Shipley was born on December 10, 1927, in the old Forest Grove Hospital to Emmet and Hilda Shipley. She attended most of her school years in Banks, but graduated from high school in Rainier, Washington.

As a young girl, she picked hops and helped on the Shipley family farms.

On October 1, 1949, Virginia married Aurelius (Arly) Nielson. They celebrated their 25 years of marriage at the Flying M Ranch in Yamhill, Oregon, with family and friends. Together they raised a family of 6. They made many Christmas trips in their station wagon to visit family in Nebraska. Arly passed away in 1983 after 34 years of marriage.

Virginia lived a long and full life rooted in her love for the outdoors, friends, and family. Over the years, she spent time in Banks, Forest Grove, Desert Hot Springs, and Lake Billy Chinook, traveling by motor homes to various states, including Nebraska, Alaska, Wisconsin, Texas, and the magnificent Niagara Falls.

Early in her career, she worked as a grocery clerk at the Red & White Market in Banks and then at Tektronix as an electronics technician.

After retiring, she found a second calling driving school bus for Shafer's Bus Service in Banks, Oregon. This role helped her stay connected to her community and the young kids she cared for along her route.

In 1988, Virginia married Clarence Sweere in Reno, NV. This was followed by a reception with friends and family at the Brown Derby in Banks. They were married for 33 years until Clarence’s death in 2021.

Her days were filled with the things she loved most: Spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, as well as experiencing a bush plane fishing trip in Alaska. She also enjoyed a wild “girls-only” trip to Hawaii. She loved traveling and visiting with the many friends and family who filled her life with joy.

She served many breakfasts for the family, including delicious pancakes rolled in sugar, jam, or syrup. Virginia canned peaches, pears, cherries, pickles, grapes, apples, and tomatoes. She hosted many family holiday dinners, donated many hours for the Cemetery Dinners, and she could pound out “Pistol Packin Mama” on the piano. Virginia especially loved playing cards, Bingo, Cribbage, Mexican Train, Crazy Poker, and 31, as well as fun trips to casinos. She was a die-hard fan of Beaver Football, car racing, and metal detecting.

She loved Snickers and baked many monster cookies for the grandkids to enjoy. She was known for her delicious potato salad she prepared for many camping trips and picnics the family embarked on.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Emmet and Hilda Shipley; siblings, Evelyn Pettit, Elva Shipley, Alice Shipley, and Ellis Shipley; husbands, Arly Nielson and Clarence Sweere; son, George Nielson; and granddaughter, Tonya Mead.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Lee and Sherrie Nielson; Elain Nielson and her spouse, Ron Van Domelen; Nancy Nielson; Sandy Nielson – Hopson; and Debbie Meeuwsen and her companion, Dean Longfellow. Grandchildren and their spouses: Ward Moore and his fiancée Amy, Amy and Jeff Buckles, Rebecca Burke, Ken Mead, Jeremy Nielson, Angie Griswold, Amy and Phil Meiers, Doran and Mindy Spenst, Allisun and Michael Leipzig, Amanda Meeuwsen, Mitch and Chelsea Meeuwsen, Tyler and Tia Meeuwsen. 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Virginia’s warmth, generosity, and zest for life touched everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family and all who had the privilege of calling her a friend.

In memory of Virginia, the family welcomes donations to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. AMDF. https://www.macular.org
The date, time, and place of the Celebration of Virginia’s life is pending