Virginia Louder

Virginia Lee Wolcott Louder, age 79, formerly of Draper, S.D., passed away peacefully January 16, 2024, at The Arbor in Pittsboro, N.C.

Virginia was born November 15, 1944, in Casper, Wyo. to Ernest & Iola Wolcott. As an only child, Virginia shared a close childhood with her cousins, and many aunts & uncles, spending countless hours on the mountain and every summer at the Barnum Ranch outside of Kaycee, Wyo. Her Wyo. childhood was dear to Ginny’s heart (as she was lovingly called by her Wyo. family). Her passion for horses and everything western was born from her upbringing in those red hills beneath the Indian Head butte.

Virginia graduated Casper High School in 1962 and went on to study art at the nearby junior college. Then one afternoon in April 1964 she rushed through the front door of a neighbor’s house, with a head full of curlers, & came face to face with Ronnie Louder. Ronnie was immediately smitten by her. Virginia married Ronald Dale Louder on April 17, 1965, and resided in Casper, Wyo. until May 1968 when she & Ronnie moved to Draper with their first child Carma, where they built a life of farming & ranching and raised their family, to eventually include a second daughter, Tawnya, and a son, Alan.

Embracing the farming life when she moved to Draper with Ronnie, Virginia tended a magnificent garden and made countless meals that she packed with care & love then transported to the farm to feed Ronnie. All the while serving up a full nightly supper for her family and an extra special Sunday dinner after church. Her gift for preparing food, and baking, fed many a long table of family & friends at holidays and other special occasions. From making cookies with all the neighbor kids at Christmas every year, to special birthday cakes & desserts, to hosting friends for cake & visiting, to feeding cowboys on days they worked cattle; Virginia poured her love for others into the food she made them. And setting the special occasion tables with the beautiful dishes she collected brought Virginia much delight. She was happiest surrounded by her family and friends and the laughter and shenanigans of her grandchildren.

Virginia was instrumental in starting the Jones County 4-H Horse Project, was a 4-H Leader for decades, and was the artist behind the many trophy pictures & sculptures for 4-H Overall Horse Showmanship prize. Her passion for and knowledge of horses taught her own children and many others the fun of riding and love for those animals. Sharing her equine knowledge with the children of the community, combined with her talent as an artist, brought her immeasurable joy and pride. She was a member of the Draper Methodist Church, the Prairie Home Ladies, the Draper Card Club, and the Draper Carnival organizers. Virginia’s talent for cooking led her to become the Draper School chef while Tawnya & Alan were in grade school. She later cooked at The Station (aka The Hilltop) and catered several Draper Alumni Banquets. Many folks will remember the incredible prime rib & carved watermelon fruit bowls she put out for Alumni. Feeding a good number of folks with flavorful and hot food was a talent Virginia made look easy.

In addition to the time and energy she gave her community, Virginia’s passions included her gift to create beautiful things. She was an expert seamstress, making beautiful clothes & holiday outfits for her children, gorgeous prom dresses & christening gowns, and intricately beaded & hand-sewn western and classic outfits for both her and Ronnie. Virginia loved to sew and embellish, especially with western themes. She would stay up late into the night to finish a special project. Her artwork was among her favorite passions, a skill she honed from childhood into adulthood. From pencil sketches to chalk to sculptures, to iron sign making to the emblazed art on the kitchen cabinets at the Louder Ranch, Virginia’s talent left a legacy of art to the community, and her children & grandchildren.

After semi-retiring in 2008, Virginia & Ron split their time between the Draper ranch and Pittsboro, N.C., where Virginia remained after Ronnie’s death in 2009. Splitting her time between N.C., Wyo. and S.D. for several years, Virginia enjoyed visiting family & friends until health issues made travel challenging and she remained in N.C. near Tawnya and Alan’s families for the past many years. Throughout her life, Virginia was known as a kind, giving, and loving soul with a huge heart, who always had a smile and warm welcome for all.

Grateful for having shared her life were her children Carma Miller (Greg), Tawnya Louder, Alan Louder (Jane); sisters-in-law Shirley Wood and Yvonne Laur; nephew Aaron Laur and niece Christina Laur; grandchildren Eric Nix (Jessica), Christopher Nix (Katie), Scott Nix (Rylee), Sean, Caden, & Samantha Louder, and Conner & Parker Reynolds; step-grandchildren Renee Kortuem and Jordan & Matthew Miller and families; and great grandchildren Molly, Mason, Madie, Kasin, & Ava Nix. Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, an infant son, two brothers-in-law, and her husband of 44 years.

A memorial service will be held at the Draper Auditorium at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 6, 2024, followed by dessert and fellowship. Those who would like to are invited to join the family for interment at the Draper Cemetery at 4:00PM.

Any memorial gifts received will be donated to support the Draper Community.

Condolences can be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com.