Virginia Alvina Greeb Benzel Sizemore, 101, lovingly known as “Grandma Ginny”, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. She was born on July 16, 1924 in Gering, Nebraska, to Jake and Anna (Kolb) Greeb.
Virginia married the love of her life, Harold Benzel, on May 11, 1941, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Together, they had two daughters: Janice Benzel and Karen Kay Specht. The couple farmed in Gering Valley before relocating to Scottsbluff. After 24 years of marriage, Harold passed away. Virginia later married Marvin Sizemore. Marvin passed away in 1993, and in 2000 she moved to Hemingford to be closer to her daughter and family.
Virginia was a devoted member of the Salem Congregational Church in Scottsbluff, where she sang in the choir and was known for making homemade noodles and butterballs for church bake sales. After moving to Hemingford, she became an active member of the United Methodist Church, served on the Box Butte County election board, and volunteered at the Box Butte County Fair. In addition to keeping up with the family farm operation, she especially enjoyed playing bingo and cards with her friends at Apollo Court—always with a competitive spirit.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Janice, her first husband Harold and second husband Marvin, and her sister Eleanor Kissler.
Virginia is survived by her daughter Karen Kay and son-in-law Charles Specht; grandchildren Debra (Tim) Kumpf, Laura (Troy) Shoemaker, and Brian (Hope) Specht; great-grandchildren Kyle (Kaitlyn) Kumpf, Hannah (TJ) Aanenson, Kaitlyn (Jakways) Mendoza, Ethan (Dalli) Specht, and Breana Specht; and great-great-grandchildren Everly, Elle, and Millie Kumpf. She is also survived by her very special cousin Irene Brill Netzel of Julesburg, Colorado—who shared life’s journey with Virginia and celebrated their 101st birthdays together this year—and two cherished nieces, Sandra Hoxworth and Shirley Goebal.
Graveside services will be held Friday, October 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Scottsbluff Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Reverend Teri Lucas will officiate. Memorials may be given to the Hemingford United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 35, Hemingford, Nebraska, 69348.