Virginia Ruth Conklin was born in Clinton, IA on August 23, 1947, daughter of Robert A. And Marian (Howell) Conklin. Virginia died August 25, 2023 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa, a month short of her seventy-sixth birthday.
Virginia’s early years were spent in the LeClaire and Bettendorf, Iowa area, where her father worked as an industrial electrician. Her parents divorced when she was a toddler and she was placed in her Dad’s custody. She was baptized as a young child at the First Presbyterian Church in LeClaire, Iowa.
In January, 1954, father and daughter moved to Dubuque, IA to live with his brother’s family so that he could attend the University of Dubuque. Here he met Mary Masker, also a 2nd semester incoming, “30-something” freshman and they married a year later.
The family moved to Jamestown, N.D. that summer to live with Robert’s recently widowed Dad and attend Jamestown College and Virginia attended grade school. Robert’s graduation from college and enrollment in University of Dubuque Theological Seminary meant a return to the Dubuque area. Virginia attended grade schools in De Soto and Westfield, WI,; Kasson, MN.; and Dubuque while her dad served student pastorate assignments.
Robert completed his seminary studies in 1960 and the family moved to his first ordained pastorate at the First Presbyterian. Church, Belfield, N.D. Here, Virginia completed Junior High and all but the last semester of high School. She was in 4-H, band and choir and served as a library assistant where she developed her love for books and the library. The family moved to Walhalla, N.D. in January, 1965, Virginia completed high school and developed many life-long friendships. She always maintained that this was the best move of her life.
Virginia attended Jamestown College and Mayville State Teacher’s College both in North Dakota before realizing she wasn’t ready for college. She worked in Grand Forks, N. D. before moving to San Antonio, TX in 1970, at the invitation of a High School classmate. and more work. In 1972 she enrolled in Florida Bible College , Miami, FL. graduating in 1975. She moved to Juneau, Alaska and worked for the State of Alaska in the statistics department and volunteered with a mission team.
Virginia’s family had moved to Winnebago, MN. She returned home in 1977, enrolled in Buena Vista College (now a University), in Storm Lake, Iowa, and graduated in 1982 and was certified in Library Science and English. She spent her first year teaching on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, Belcourt, N.D ,followed by three years in Belview, Iowa. Her next move was to Elk Horn, IA where she taught in the Elk Horn–Kimballton school until her retirement.
She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church, Atlantic, IA and served as a Bible Study leader, Deacon, Elder and on the Pastor Nominating Committee. She volunteered as a researcher with the Ella Horn Genealogical Committee until limited mobility prevented her continuing.
Virginia’s being an “only child” was disrupted by the birth, in 1956, of baby brother, Thomas. Over the years, three more siblings were added.
Virginia lived in her home in Elk Horn until moving in September, 2022 to Allen Place. Her death followed a brief final illness.
Virginia was preceded in death by her Robert and mother Marian Conklin
She was loved and will be missed by many, including: Mother – Mary Conklin,; Winnebago, MN; brothers, Thomas Conklin (Lori Rogers), Phoenix, AZ; Steven Conklin(Amy), Zimmerman, MN; Joseph Conklin, Mankato, MN; Sister Dianna Conklin, Blue Earth, MN; and best friend, Merrie Ann Sloth, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will greet friends on Monday evening, August 7, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic, Iowa. The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Rachelle McCalla on Tuesday afternoon, August 8, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Inurnment will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Winnebago, Minnesota on August 24, 2023.
