Virginia Bache Mendez

Virginia Bache Mendez started her journey to the spirit world on October 28, 2018 at her home in Fort Hall, Idaho. Virginia was born to William Floyd Bache and Marjorie Devinney on March 4, 1954 in Pocatello, Idaho and was raised on the Fort Hall Reservation in both Bannock Creek and Buffalo Lodge District.

Virginia was an enrolled member of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes, and her familial lineage included both the Eastern and Lemhi Shoshone Tribes. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also still practiced and valued her Native American beliefs and religion. As a youth, Virginia was a barrel racer and an avid sportsman. She especially enjoyed her years with the Coyote Sisters Team. She had also participated in running for Miss Shoshone Bannock and won the Miss Congeniality title. She, along with family and friends, also participated in the LDS Placement Program in Utah and Washington State during her junior and high school years. Following high school graduation, she attended BYU and Georgetown University. During this time, she married Julian Mendez, her childhood sweetheart and they both raised seven children. They later divorced and Virginia continued raising her children. She worked as an EMT, firefighter and crew boss. She was very proud of her fire crew and the stories of their "harrowing" experiences which she often shared with family and friends. Nonetheless, in the following years, she continued her education and proudly graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. When she graduated with her degree, Virginia came back to Fort Hall and worked for the Shoshone Bannock High School and later Chief Taghee Elementary. She was also sought by tribal groups, organizations and events as a cultural arts instructor. Most recently, she had worked with the 477 Program, Self Reliance Program and then with the Shoshone Bannock Tribal Language and Culture Department and assisted with their projects and programs. The students and community enjoyed her sweet smile and quick wit. She was recognized as a cultural mentor and was always supportivbe of community events. She especially enjoyed attending all of the tribal sports events, but also loved attending movies, powwows, cultural gatherings, traveling, beading, cookeing, and playing at the sacion hangoing out with firneds and relatives. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Virginia is survived by her brothers, Floyd (Janice) Bache, Jr.; Lindy (Trudy) Bache; sister, Theresa Bache (Anthony) Kniffin; her children, Jamie (Olivia) Bache, Ryan Bache, Shoni (Mia) Bache, Laylonnie (Jessie) Bache, Joshua (Serena) Mendez, Joe (Anna) Mendez, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Willie Nolan Bache, maternal grandparents Charles (Addie Moon) Devinney, paternal grandparents William (Viola Jean Burton) Bache, brothers Wilbur Lee Bache, Lucas Bache, sisters Wanda Bache Deluna, Viola Jean Bache, and grandson Thomas Nolan Bache Foster.

The traditional viewing will begin Tuesday morning, October 30, 2018 at the Jamie Bache residence on Edmo Road. The funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Highway 91, between Reservation and Edmo Roads. The burial services will be held at 2:00 PM at the Bannock Creek Cemetery in Arbon Valley.

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