Virginia Dee Pierce Moberly passed away at home on July
29, 2025, at the age of 93. She was born in April 1932, in
Marysville, Kansas, to Leonard and Audra Cunningham Pierce,
and moved to Star, Idaho, at age 12, following the death of her father. She attended New Hope (one-room) School where her mother was the teacher. She attended high school in Middleton, graduating as
Valedictorian. There she met the love of her life, Lee Moberly. They married on June 3, 1951, during his time in the Navy, and enjoyed the adventures of living in San Diego, Astoria, and Kodiak.
After Lee’s nine years in the service, they settled in Middleton, Lee’s hometown, and immersed themselves in the community. Lee became the Middleton Postmaster and volunteer
fireman; they were members of the Middleton United Methodist Church and joined the Odd Fellows and Rebekah lodges which, among many other projects, sponsored years of the Middleton Easter Egg Hunt and 4th of July corn dog stand and Bingo game.
Virginia was a homemaker, a creative birthday cake decorator, great cook, scout leader for their two sons Dennis and Bruce, Sunday School teacher, room mother, gardener, pianist, singer, poet, and youth choir director. Still searching for more ways to give back, Virginia enrolled in Boise State College, graduating in 1970, and began teaching at Middleton Elementary. By the time Heights Elementary opened, she had completed her Library certification, and opened the Library at the new school. Her time as Librarian touched so many students who still remember her read-aloud stories and reading suggestions. Lifelong friends were made among the teachers.
In 1971, they moved from their home in town to 60 acres on the Boise River a mile east of Middleton, on land Lee’s parents had purchased in the 1940’s. Many family picnics, Easter Egg hunts, wienie roasts, four-wheeler rides, birthday parties, and Camper Club gatherings were held over the years on the banks of the river.
Continuing into retirement, Virginia stayed very busy traveling with Lee, volunteering in church and lodge events, membership in DKG International, gardening, serving on the Board of the Historical Society of Middleton, and following children’s and grandchildren’s activities, including plays, sports events, recitals, and concerts. In 2007, Virginia and Lee served as concurrent State Presidents of the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges, the only husband and wife
pair ever to do so. They traveled the state together in their travel trailer, visiting every lodge in Idaho.
In 2013, they moved off the ranch into a brand-new home in Middleton, which they enjoyed together until Lee’s passing in 2015. Her days were filled with exercise group, Church craft group, volunteering at the Lee Moberly Museum, trips to McCall including Lardo’s and crossing her beloved Rainbow Bridge, lunch dates, vanilla lattes, and Mint-Oreo Blizzards with
friends and family. She was a voracious reader, an avid Gonzaga basketball fan, and sent countless cards to friends and family for every occasion,.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee. She is survived by her sons Dennis (Claudia) and Bruce (Darlena Taylor); grandchildren Jennifer (Levi) Westra, and David (Katey) Moberly; and five adored great-grandchildren Asher, Max, Finnley, Noah and Jet.
Her smile, generosity, creativity, and Middleton history knowledge will be missed, and those of us left behind can strive to honor her memory by trying to be more like her.
As Middleton continues to grow and new families move in, we hope they can find the connections and opportunities to serve their community that the Moberlys found so rewa
Lee Moberly Museum 