Virginia Sealey

Emma Virginia Sealey (Johnson) was born on September 30, 1944 in Ocala, Florida to John Henry Johnson and Zinna Johnson (Lee). Virginia’s father served in World War I and World War II. Her parents met in Florida while he was in the Army. Virginia grew up with a southern influence in the home from her mother’s side though her parents moved to Kenesaw, Nebraska when she was a toddler. They moved to Hastings not long after. Virginia attended St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Virginia graduated from Hastings High School in 1962.

Virginia met Ronald Wayne Sealey when set up on a date by Ron’s good friend, Larry Cleveland. Ron was attending the Nebraska School for the Deaf at that time. Ron eventually left school because he did not want to be in Omaha when Virginia was in Hastings. They were married on February 2, 1963 in Hastings.

They immediately started a family. Nick was born in 1963, Russ followed thirteen (13) months later in 1964. Julie was born in 1967 and Pat in 1970. Virginia and Ron raised their family in Hastings. Ron passed away after 56 years of marriage on July 19, 2019.

Virginia always worked outside of the home as she raised her family. She worked at the Hastings Regional Center for many years. She also worked at Herberger’s before finally doing the books for Sealey Body Shop. Ron and Virginia started Sealey Body Shop in 1983. Virginia was instrumental in building and sustaining “the shop” as it has continued to be operated by Nick, Russ, Julie and Russ’ son, Zachary Sealey.

Virginia was an avid reader. She had a large library from her years in many “Books of the Month” clubs. She also enjoyed old country music, crosswords, and bowling when she was younger. Virginia and Ron enjoyed attending numerous car shows through the years. Most Sundays they would go to a movie and then have Subway and ice cream. But, most of all, Virginia loved her family. She never missed any of her children or grandchildren’s activities. The love of her family only grew with the birth of her twelve (12) grandchildren and ten (10) great-grandchildren (with two (2) more on the way).

Virginia was a wonderful mother. She was the glue to the family. She was the peacemaker. Her patience and love may have been best demonstrated by considering how difficult it would have been to fall in love with a deaf man and to learn sign language.

Virginia died peacefully in the night at the Heritage at College View while in Hospice at the age of eighty-one (81) on March 29, 2026,

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John Lloyd, Herbert Lloyd, Joseph Lloyd, Russell Lloyd and Harvey (Michael) Johnson.; and her sisters Zena Mae Formanek, Mary (Jewel) Lambert and Rose Otto.

Survivors include:
Sister: 
  Martha Gonzales Colorado Springs, Colorado
Children and their spouses:
  Nicholas (Shelly) Sealey Hastings, Nebraska
  Russell (Amy) Sealey Hastings, Nebraska
  Julie (Tim) Gilbert Blue Hill, Nebraska
  Patrick (Kim) Sealey Sioux City, Iowa
Grandchildren and their spouses and great-grandchildren:
Nick (Shelly)
  Dustin (Amanda) Sealey Pompano Beach, Florida
      Jane Sealey
      June Sealey
      Juliet Sealey
  Dalton (Abby) Sealey Omaha, Nebraska
      Willow Sealey
      Truman Sealey
      Reggie Sealey
  Dayton (Klaire) Sealey Rapid City, South Dakota
  Dacey Sealey Omaha, Nebraska
  Shannon (Ryan) Barry Omaha, Nebraska
      Carter Barry
Corey (Tabitha) Fleck
      Wren Fleck
Russ (Amy)
  Zachary (Brittney) Sealey Hastings, Nebraska
  McKenzie (Curtis) Scott Lakewood, Colorado
       Delialah Scott
Julie (Tim) 
  Mara (Corey) Snider Overton, Nebraska
       Emory Stamp
       Aybrie Snider
      Maddi Snider
  Allie (Austyn) Ellingson Kearney, Nebraska
       Styles Ellingson
       Ronnie Ellingson
Pat (Kim)
  Emma Sealey Rochester, New York
  Anna Sealey Chicago, Illinois
  Henry Sealey University of Iowa College of Law
  Eleanor Sealey University of Missouri

Services will be at 11:00 A.M., on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings with Pastor Paul Julian officiating. Burial will be at the Parkview Cemetery in Hastings, Nebraska. Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Heritage at College View in Hastings. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Virginia’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page.