Virgina Erlingson

Mrs. Virginia Owens Erlingson was born on November 28, 1934, and is known for her dedication and tireless care as a registered nurse with Opelousas General Health System. She was born in Dustin, Oklahoma and raised in Nowata, Oklahoma. In high school she worked at a local drug store and for the Clark Moore family, saving enough money to attend Hillcrest Nursing School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This allowed her to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse, graduating in 1957 where she obtained a diploma as a registered nurse. Virginia married Gudmundur Erlingson originally from Selfoss, Iceland then moved to Opelousas, Louisiana in 1958. Together they raised three children: Gretchen Erlingson, Mary Grace Erlingson Simon, and Eric Erlingson.

During her tenure, she was mentored by the Marianites of Holy Cross nuns who had a total patient care no-nonsense approach to nursing expecting the same of their nurses. At that time, nurses were not assigned to specific floors. They assisted with births, cared for the ill and took care of the families of the deceased. Virginia started working first as a staff nurse, then became a floor supervisor, progressing to the house supervisor. Virginia grew as a leader, educator, and mentor to countless people in the medical profession. Driven by her passion for taking care of people, she pushed her co-workers to be the best they could be. As a staff nurse for OGH she had the privilege of collaborating with innovative co-workers which included aids, nurses, doctors, and many others in the medical profession. She became the Director of Nursing during the early 1990’s but missed hands on nursing so she returned to her supervision role so that she could still care for patients.

Growing up on a remote Oklahoma ranch, she was taught to “make do with what she had” which allowed her to think outside of the box to always put her patients first and help find innovative solutions for patients. She ran a tight ship and worked in every department during her career. From newborns to palliative care, Virginia was there. She balanced her work and personal life, and kept busy with hobbies such as cooking, sewing, and knitting. She retired in July of 1998 to enjoy traveling with her husband, spending time with her 6 grandchildren, and continuing to pursue her hobbies.

Virginia Erlingson’s legacy of dedication to healthcare and her unwavering commitment to family and this community will always be remembered.