Virginia Kiltau

Virginia Kiltau, 84, Haysville, KS, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Derby, Kansas following a long and courageous battle with cancer, with her daughter Catherine by her side.

Virginia was born on June 15, 1941, on the family farm near Bogue, Kansas, the daughter of Harvey and Zelma Eichman Conyac. Virginia, one of eight siblings, was raised on the family farm and attended Damar, KS schools until the family moved to Derby, KS in 1956. Virginia graduated from Derby High School in 1959.

Virginia married Charles Edwin Boice in Derby, KS in 1960, and together they had three children, Catherine, Christopher, and Patricia. They later divorced. She then married Benedict J. Janacek in Derby, KS in 1967, and Ben adopted her three children. The family relocated to Longmont, Colorado, where they lived until 1980. They later divorced. Virginia married Donald K. Kiltau in Kingwood, Texas on October 9, 1999, and he survives of the home.

Virginia held many positions during her career, working most of her adult life. Those include Hospital Lab Technician at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Electronics Parts Assembler, Corrections Officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and Maintenance Records Clerk at Continental Airlines. Much of this full-time work was while also being a homemaker and raising her three kids. Not long after Virginia and Don were married, they both retired and began travelling the country. In 2002 they bought a motor home and together travelled to many places including trips to Alaska, Canada, many trips to Virginia’s favorite fishing spots in Colorado, and spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona. In 2006 they built a rural home in Americus, Kansas where they lived until 2016, when they relocated to Haysville, Kansas.

Virginia is survived by her husband Don; Brother Joe (Claudette) Conyac, of Wichita, KS; Sister Adeleen (Don) Keeler, of Derby, KS; Brother Adrian Conyac, of Texas; Sister Diane Standifer, of Andover, KS; Sister-in-Law Judy Conyac, of Derby, KS; Daughter Catherine (Rodger) Ernst, Americus, KS; Son Christopher Janacek, Haysville, KS; Daughter Patricia (Terry) Fruit, Spring, TX; Stepdaughter Angela (Doug) Graves, of Kingwood, TX, and Stepdaughter Pamela Christian, of Fort Worth, TX; honorary Daughters Melissa (Richard) Peters of Burleson, TX; and Michelle (Philip) Shoemaker, of Joshua, TX, along with Grandson Randall (Michelle) Ernst, of Buhler, KS; Granddaughter Samantha (Jordan) McManus, of Yoakum, TX; Grandson Michael (Alissa) Fruit, of Peyton, Colorado; Granddaughter Shannon (Josh) Smith, of Kansas City, MO; and Grandson Nicholas Fruit, of Conroe, TX, Step Granddaughter Paxton Christian, of Norman, OK (OU); Step Granddaughter Victoria Graves, of Kingwood, TX; and Step Grandson Douglas Graves III, of Houston, TX (U of H). She is also survived by 5 Great Grandchildren (Grace McManus, Alayna Ernst, Anastasia Fruit, Daniel Fruit, and Kennedy Fruit), many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Brother Don Conyac; Sister Geraldine Edmunds; Sister Jane Collier; Sister-in-Law Betty Conyac, and Brothers-in-Law Ray Collier and Mike Standifer.

Visitation will be at Smith Mortuary in Derby, KS on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary Catholic Church in Derby, Kansas, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Followed by burial in Hill Crest Cemetery in Derby, KS.

Please send memorials to St. Mary Catholic Church in Derby, Kansas.