Encyclopedia Dubuque
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KISTING, V. Voggenthaler: Difference between revisions
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Virginia's life was defined by her integrity. While leading her firm in 1983, when an opportunity for an incentive as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) was presented to Virginia, she declined saying, "Despite working all my life in a man's (steel) industry, I've never been given a concession because I'm a woman, and I won't accept one now simply because the government says I'm entitled to it." | Virginia's life was defined by her integrity. While leading her firm in 1983, when an opportunity for an incentive as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) was presented to Virginia, she declined saying, "Despite working all my life in a man's (steel) industry, I've never been given a concession because I'm a woman, and I won't accept one now simply because the government says I'm entitled to it." | ||
She also worked part-time at | She also worked part-time at [[CHRISTENSEN'S GREENHOUSE]]for several years. Virginia had a thorough knowledge and love of flowers, cultivating and nurturing her own extensive rose garden. She derived great joy in sharing fresh cut flowers and pussy willows with friends, and particularly the elderly at Stonehill Care Center. She served as a member of the board that planned Stonehill Care Center. | ||
[[Category: Business Leader]] | [[Category: Business Leader]] | ||
Revision as of 02:57, 17 July 2012
KISTING, V. Voggenthaler. (Dubuque, IA, Sept. 5, 1911-Dubuque, IA, July 23, 2007). President, E. J. Voggenthaler Company. Kisting, granddaughter of E. J. Voggenthaler, the company's founder, was the only child of William and Irma Voggenthaler. Virginia's father passed away when she was just 2 years of age. Raised by her mother and schooled at the ACADEMY OF THE VISITATION, on the day after graduation, at age 16, she began full-time employment at the Voggenthaler Co.
Admired as a lady of great dignity, she also was respected for her business acumen and ethics. She strove with every effort to be honest and fair. Virginia lived an extraordinarily strong Catholic faith, beginning each day with holy water and a kiss on the crucifix that hung on the wall in the Voggenthaler Co. office .
She labored 18-hour days, working to bring the firm successfully back from hard times, particularly through the 1960s, weathering a major flood in 1965, which was a devastating blow to the firm, as well as the 1966 death of her aunt, Leona Voggenthaler, daughter of the firm's founder.
Upon the completion of the steel framing for NATIVITY CHURCH in Dubuque, a major construction project of its time, Virginia was recognized by the Bethlehem Steel Co. as a rare pioneer -- a woman actively directing and administrating a business in the steel industry.
Virginia's life was defined by her integrity. While leading her firm in 1983, when an opportunity for an incentive as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) was presented to Virginia, she declined saying, "Despite working all my life in a man's (steel) industry, I've never been given a concession because I'm a woman, and I won't accept one now simply because the government says I'm entitled to it."
She also worked part-time at CHRISTENSEN'S GREENHOUSEfor several years. Virginia had a thorough knowledge and love of flowers, cultivating and nurturing her own extensive rose garden. She derived great joy in sharing fresh cut flowers and pussy willows with friends, and particularly the elderly at Stonehill Care Center. She served as a member of the board that planned Stonehill Care Center.