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Virginia Kast
Virginia Rose Silva Kast, 92, of King Hill, passed away suddenly on Feb. 17, 2011, at North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding.
Virginia was born on Dec. 2, 1918, in Sparks, Nev., the oldest of four children of Edward Manual Silva and Marian Emery Silva. She grew up in Browns Valley, Calif., and attended high school in Marysville and Sutter.
At the age of 18, on Jan. 3, 1937, she married Charles C. Kast at Grass Valley, Calif. They were together for 58 years, until his death in 1995.
They had five children.
Early in their marriage, they began a cattle operation in Browns Valley, later expanding in Gridley and Oroville.
In 1961, they moved to Idaho where they operated the 101 Ranch in King Hill, which eventually became Kast C.K. Cattle Company.
In 1962, they purchased the Fir Grove Ranch near Fairfield.
Virginia took on the role of wife, mother and homemaker. She was Charliešs helper, family stabilizer, and a big motivating factor in their business ventures.
Virginia was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Charles; a sister, Katherine, and a granddaughter, Kimberly Kast Lampo.
She is survived by her children, Sharron N. Presley (Lee) of King Hill, Christine A. Blevins of Troy, C. Michael Kast (Dawn) of Bliss, V. Mari Muffley (Bob) of Wendell and James E. Kast (Marie) of King Hill, her siblings, Elvera Barrie and Edward Silva, Jr. (JoAnn) of Browns Valley, 16 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
As the matriarch of the large Kast family, Virginia was admired, respected and loved for her simple way of life, her love and knowledge of nature, her beautiful spirit, her constancy and her generosity. She is described as
"best friend" and "hero" by family members, and was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
No services are planned at this time. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Fir Grove Ranch later this year.
The family suggests memorial contributions in her name to her favorite charity, the Idaho Youth Ranch, PO Box 8538, Boise, ID 83707, or to a charity of your choice.