Virginia Ivarson Claypool

Virginia Ann Ivarson Claypool passed away on May 20, 2019, the only child of the late Anders Torsten Ivarson and Anna Krook Ivarson, both Swedish immigrants.  Virginia was born on May 28, 1925 in Eveleth, Minnesota, a small community with a large and diverse population of European immigrants and first-generation Americans like herself.  Growing up, Virginia enjoyed taking care of the family garden, tap dancing, swimming with her father in Ely Lake, skidding and “doing donuts” in the car on frozen lakes, and learning about the many different cultures of her friends.  She was an independent thinker, and although, in 1942, her high school’s mechanical drawing class was intended for boys, that didn’t stop her from being the first girl to sign up and complete it.  Also, she was born Ann Virginia Ivarson, but since she was always called Virginia, when she graduated from high school, she legally changed her name to Virginia Ann Ivarson.

Virginia became interested in chemistry from her father who was a chemical engineer for the Oliver Mining Company in the Mesabi Iron Range, and she earned a B.S. in chemistry from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.  She took flying lessons in college, but because Midway Airport was so busy during the war years, she stopped short of making her solo flight.  Upon graduation, she married William E. Claypool and then worked in chemical research at Washington University, Ohio State University and the Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation which she very much enjoyed.

As a mother, Virginia became an expert designer and seamstress and could recreate any designer outfit from Vogue magazine, as well as design and make outfits for herself and her children, sometimes overnight.  She was an excellent cook, and with her appreciation for quality, there was little junk food in the household, because she cooked virtually everything from scratch, even whole wheat crackers.  Her children were lucky to grow up on Swedish pancakes and Swedish Christmas cookies.  Over the years, she became known for sharing dozens of varieties of cookies with friends and acquaintances.  She was a wonderful hostess, like her mother, holding Christmas open houses for 250 people featuring her home-made Swedish Christmas cookies and an elaborate gingerbread “estate”.  She was very gracious and caring and, at Thanksgiving, made a point to invite people to dinner who were by themselves.

Virginia felt it was important to do things as a family which led to the entire family participating in skiing in the winter and sailing in the summer.  She was an avid sailor and racer of Flying Scots and Sunfish into her eighties.  Over the years, she was a member of Leatherlips Yacht Club in Columbus, Ohio, Milwaukee and Ephraim Yacht Clubs in Wisconsin, and Lake Cowan Sailing Association near Wilmington, Ohio.

While doing many things for her family, she also pursued her own interests which included belonging to a French club, a bridge club, serving in leadership positions for the American Association of University Women, being a Girl Scout leader and taking continuing education classes on a variety of topics.  She was a devoted church member serving in many capacities everywhere she lived.  She taught literacy to adults so they would be able to read to their grandchildren and would often say to her children, “If you can read, you can do almost anything.”

She is survived by her children Nancy L. Claypool, New Orleans, Louisiana; Sandra L. Claypool (Brian L. Conrad), Ashland, Oregon; Carol J. Claypool, King, North Carolina; and daughter-in-law, Jamie C. Claypool, Plymouth, Michigan; by grandchildren Alison Claypool-Conrad, Lianna Claypool and James Claypool; and by five nieces and one nephew.  She is preceded in death by her husband William E. Claypool and her son William E. Claypool.

The family will hold a private, grave-side service for their favorite “Viking” in Eveleth, Minnesota this summer.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Glenmont, a 501(c)(3) nursing facility, 4599 Avery Road, Hilliard, Ohio  43026.