09/02/2026
Virginia Louise Griebenaw
Virginia Louise (Bennett) Griebenaw, 44, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on August 24, 2026, following a hard-fought battle with breast cancer that had spread to her lungs. She was born December 5, 1981, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to Daniel and Carolyn (Uden) Bennett.
Virginia graduated from Doane University in Crete, Nebraska, in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in history. She went on to earn a master’s degree in public history from the University of Colorado Denver in 2010.
Virginia built a career around her love of history and preserving the stories of the past. She has served as Collections Manager at Four Mile Historic Park in Denver since 2018. Previously, she was a Collections Assistant at the Denver Art Museum and Director of Collections at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys.
While putting herself through school, Virginia spent several years working with children. She especially loved babies and worked as an assistant teacher at Primrose Schools and other early learning centers. Her love of children remained a defining part of who she was and became even more meaningful when she became a mother.
On May 25, 2015, Virginia married the love of her life, Daniel Griebenaw. Together they built a life centered on faith and family. A lifelong member of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Virginia was a member of Our Father Lutheran Church in Denver. Her faith was an important part of her life and the foundation of her family
Virginia was a loving wife and mother to their sons, Bennett, 8, and Ellis, 5. Her boys were the light of her world, and she treasured being their mother. She poured her love into her family and cherished the life she shared with Dan and their boys.
Virginia was also a beloved daughter and sister. She shared a special bond with her older brother, Grant, whom she adored.
Outside of her roles as wife and mother, Virginia found joy in the things that made her uniquely herself. She loved reading historical fiction and knitting, was an avid fan of The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers, and enjoyed playing video games on her Nintendo Switch. She also loved the challenge and creativity of aerial silks and hoop classes.
Music was another lifelong part of Virginia’s life. She began playing the violin in fifth grade and continued to play throughout adulthood, including as a member of string quartets in Denver. She also loved singing in her church choir.
Virginia was known for her wicked and sometimes snarky sense of humor and quick wit. She had a gift for the perfectly timed comment and could make the people who knew her best laugh when they least expected it.
Virginia’s friendships were among the most enduring relationships of her life. She shared nearly 40 years of friendship with Melissa Lindell and Candace Jorgensen. Their friendship began in childhood and grew alongside them through every chapter of their lives. They shared countless memories, celebrated one another’s joys and stood beside each other through life’s hardest moments.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Elmer and Dorothy (Finnigsmier) Uden and Elmer and Joan (Oldham) Bennett.
She is survived by her husband, Dan; her sons, Bennett and Ellis; her parents, Daniel and Carolyn Bennett; her brother, Grant; and Alan and Susan (Bennett) Schott), Thomas Bennett, Ron and Gloria (Uden) Paben, and many cousins.
Services will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Our Father Lutheran Church, 6335 S Holly St, Centennial, CO 80121.
Virginia will be remembered for her deep love of family, her commitment to her boys, her strong faith, her love of history, and her sense of humor. She brought laughter to the people around her and left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew her. Above all, she was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
View Virginia Louise Griebenaw's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
