Virginia Priestley, age 93, embraced our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Tavares Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care of Tavares, Florida.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. Interment will follow in the Tilden Cemetery of Tilden, Nebraska.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com
Virginia Ann Priestley, the daughter of Charles and Florence (Dowlin) Gilson, was born on March 19, 1931, in Sioux City, Iowa. She was married to Edward Verzani and from that union was born three daughters: JoReine, JoAnn, and Rhonda. They divorced and she met the love of her life, Gale Priestley, whom fondly referred to her as “Whimp”.
Virginia spent her life in service to her family and friends. She was a beloved woman and the best sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother anyone could ask for. She doted over her family and many a holiday was spent with her and Grandpa Gale. Fond memories were made playing cribbage, eating the best lasagna, and avoiding their evil Chihuahuas, Poncho and Tiki. They always made enough food for 30 people, even though there was never more than 12 of us there.
A birthday was never forgotten by Virginia. Even as the grandkids got older, she called, without fail, every birthday morning to sing a just awful rendition of “Happy Birthday”. It was both terrible and the most beautiful sound God ever created. Her grandson has never missed a Christmas yet without making her famous oyster stew. Virginia’s constant companion was her beloved sister, Donalda “Auntie” McCuddin. Auntie and Uncle Gary were always there.
Left to cherish her memory include her grandchildren Jeri Hendershot of Leesburg, FL, Marinus (Christina) Jorgensen of Sioux City, IA and Tammy (Timothy) Leise of Bow Valley, NE; great-grandchildren Cael, Nicholas, and Allison Jorgensen, Dacey Braunsroth, Jordan (Clay) Wintz, and Conner Braunsroth; sister Donalda McCuddin.
She was preceded in death by most everyone she loved. Her reunion in heaven is a great one. There to greet her include her parents Charles and Florence Gilson; beloved husband Gale Priestley; three daughters: JoReine Collison, Rhonda (Steve) Burbridge, and JoAnn (Dan) Moss; grandchildren Jodan Napper, Dani Jo Moss, and Joni Jorgensen; son-in-law Marinus Jorgensen; brother-in-law Gary McCuddin; niece Sheila McCuddin; great family friends Dee and Duane Wolske. So many friends and family are there to welcome our matriarch.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, please just be kind to a stranger in her honor. Make a lasagna, call a friend, or simply marvel at God’s wonder and think of her. She left the world better and we will miss her always.
Previous Events
Celebration Of Life
3
Jun
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
