Beloved mother and grandmother, Virginia Mae Folkerts, 104, of Mt. Olive, Illinois passed away peacefully on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center in Gillespie, Illinois.  

Born on August 8, 1921 in Peoria, Illinois, she was the daughter of Howard and Emma (Kiel) Pierson.  Virginia graduated early from East Peoria High School at the age of 16.

Virginia married Arthur Thomas Folkerts of Mt. Olive on February 20, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri.  He preceded her in death on May 25, 1977.

Virginia was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive, Illinois.  

Virginia loved spending time with her family and friends, attending church, bird watching, taking care of her flower gardens, baking, traveling, fishing and motorcycle riding with her husband, and playing bingo.  Together with her husband, Art, she owned and operated the Folkerts Grocery Store and Route 66 Terminal Cafe. In later years, Virginia enjoyed being an usher with her daughter, Yvonne, at the Fox Theater in St. Louis.  She also proudly organized the funeral luncheons at Zion Lutheran Church for many years.  

Virginia will be most remembered by her kindness, caring attitude, willingness to help others, generosity, and love for her family.  

Virginia is survived by her daughters Yvonne Becker of Memphis, Tennessee and Lynne (Tom) Sherman of Gillespie, Illinois; a sister Valerie Philipson of Peoria, Illinois; and 5 grandchildren Jeff Becker of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Janet (Fred) Geyer of Memphis, Tennessee; John Becker of Belleville, Illinois; Keith (Tina) Marburger of Litchfield, Illinois; and Kelly (Clay) Titsworth of Litchfield, Illinois.  She was also blessed with 6 great grandchildren: Chris (Lauren) Geyer; Alison (John) Dowlen; Philip (Stafani) Geyer; Chad (Meagan) Marburger; Haley (Eric) Sadovsky; and Emily Titsworth (boyfriend Lee Morrison) and 11 great great grandchildren:  Jack and James Geyer; Walker, Hugh, and Hattie Dowlen; Esther and Kai Lin Geyer; Maddy McCuin, Hazel and Lucy Marburger; and Norah Sadovsky.  

She was also preceded in death by her parents Howard & Emma, brother Wayne, sister Shirley, son-in-law Al, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, in Mt. Olive from 11:00 am-12:00 pm with the service officiated by Pastor Zack Krampien beginning at 12:00.  Interment will be in Mt. Olive City Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Olive City Cemetery, or the Mt. Olive Academic Foundation.   

Becker and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.