Virden, Fornola Maxine Higday

VIRDEN, HIGDAY, CAMPBELL, FOLAND, BECK TANN, JACKSON, LAMPHIEAR, DRAPER, DIES, TAYLOR, MICKAEL

Posted By: Ken Baker (email)
Date: 7/31/2022 at 15:31:40

Mt. Ayr Record News, Mt. Ayr, Iowa 4 22 1993

FERNOLA VIRDEN

Fornola Maxine Higday Virden, daughter of George Elmer and Dottie Hazel (Mickael) Higday was born February 9, 1916 in Kellerton, Iowa and passed away at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa, on April 16, 1993 at the age of 77 years and two months.

Fornola was united in marriage to R. Francis Virden on October 3, 1937.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband; her parents; four brothers, and one sister.

She is survived by six children: Sandra Campbell of Kellerton, Linda and husband Harold Foland of Grand River, Iowa, Vicki and husband, Vincent Jackson of Winterset, Iowa, Mitzie and husband Gaylen Tann of Waterloo, Iowa, Douglas Virden of Kellerton, and Stephanie and husband, Larry Beck, of Glendale, Arizona. In addition, there are nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; four sisters, Oleta Lamphiear of Grand Island, Nebraska, Rosalie Draper of Des Moines, Iowa, Evelyn Dies of Hastings, Nebraska, Melba Taylor of Grand River, Iowa and numerous relatives and friends.

Fornola graduated from Kellerton High School in 1934 and taught briefly at Jackson Hill Country School. She devoted the rest of her life to her family as a loving wife and mother.

She lived all of her life in Kellerton. Among her many activities, she was a 50 plus year member of the Valentine Rebekah Lodge in Kellerton; was presently a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star #478, was a Past Noble Grand, was a member of the Retired Teachers' Association, and the United Methodist Women's Society in Kellerton. In addition, she was recognized as Past President of the United Methodist Women's Society, Kellerton Legion Auxiliary, and the Ringgold County American Legion Auxiliary.

Fornola will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends for her love for public speaking, her wonderful sense of humor, and her warm and caring nature.

Poem
Fornola was the oldest living child of a family of eight,
Her father called her "Doll" cause he thought her first rate.
From the time she was small, she was jolly and fun,
Being with her was like a ray of sun.
A great story teller and weaver of tales --
In fact, when public speaking, she brought forth laughter and gales.
While she was teaching this helped kids learn their lessons, and relieved much stress and unnecessary tensions.
And then she married Francis and began a school of their own.
With six children around they were never alone.
But her life changed in nineteen eighty six.
Now, the kids took care of things to fix.
They looked after her well and she got a long fine.
Until September when her health "got out of line".
The doctors were baffled and couldn't decide,
Just What was best, when they did confide,
She accepted whatever they asked her to do,
Even in her last days in the hospital, she accepted too.
But God thought she deserved a much needed rest,
And he took her to Heaven to be his guest.
Fornola was my friend before she was my sister,
And by not being able to have our visits,
I'm sure we will miss her.

Imogene Slezak

Funeral services were held April 20, 1993, from the United Methodist Church in Kellerton, Iowa, conducted by Rev. Lynn Wyatt. Music was provided by Mrs. James Smith, Mrs. Roger Trullinger and Mrs. Gary Bickers.

Casket bears were Kurtis Campbell, Kevin Campbell, Darren Campbell, Robert "Bob" Higday, James Hunt and Leroy Peterson. Honorary pall bearer was Cary Jackson. Burial was in Maple Row Cemetery at Kellerton, Iowa.