Agnes Virginia (Cole) Hiatt (1934-2012)
HIATT, COLE, THOMPSON, WHISLER, COLLINS
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 10/20/2012 at 08:59:36
From Adams & Soderstrum Funeral Home obituary, Story County, Iowa:
Virginia Hiatt
BORN: October 8, 1934
DIED: September 24, 2012
LOCATION: Ames, IowaVirginia Hiatt 77, of Ames passed away on Monday, September 24, 2012 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.
Agnes Virginia Cole Hiatt was born October 8, 1934 at the Nevada, Iowa Sanitarium to Ernest and L. Charlene Cole. She and her family lived on a farm outside Roland, Iowa where she attended school and was active in the Salem Lutheran Church until 1950 when they moved to a farmstead near Forest City, Iowa. Virginia then attended Forest City High School where she was active in music and drama. She was selected to be the Senior Homecoming attendant and graduated in 1952 in the top 10 of her class with academic honors. Virginia surprised everyone when she chose to attend Iowa Lutheran Nursing School over Northwestern University Conservatory of Music where she had been offered a full scholarship. She graduated from Iowa Lutheran Nursing School and became a registered nurse in late 1955.
On April 28, 1956, Virginia married Glen William (Bill) Hiatt in Forest City, Iowa. They moved to a farm near Randolph, Iowa and then to Shenandoah, Iowa. During the next many years, Virginia worked as a nurse at various positions at the Shenandoah Hospital. One of her many professional accomplishments was starting the Shenandoah Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, (ADA) and becoming a diabetes educator. Besides working as a nurse, and raising a family with six children, Virginia was active in the First United Methodist Church directing the youth and bell choirs, being a Girl Scout leader and participating in musicals with the local theater group. She also ran for a seat on the Shenandoah School Board in 1977, advocating for spending emphasis on basic educational skills and diverse vocational options for all students.
In 1985, she and Bill divorced and Virginia moved to Nevada, Iowa. Virginia worked in various nursing positions around the area including Iowa Lutheran Hospital and the USDA from 1984 until 1993 when she completed an additional degree in social work from Iowa State University and she took a social work position at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah, Iowa. Unfortunately in 1994, her health deteriorated, she retired and later that same year, she moved to Ames to live with her daughter, Becky Hiatt.
Virginia enjoyed baking, cooking (especially trying new recipes with her own improvements), reading, needlework, and making handmade quilts. She enjoyed traveling which often lead her on grand adventures following her own sense of directions. Virginia was very social and enjoyed talking to people and learning about their interests and personal situations. She was a very good listener and had the ability to provide insights without being judgmental. Virginia was always there to willingly and generously help anyone. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. Grandma Virginia was undoubtedly everyone's favorite Grandma.
Virginia is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Clyde Cole. She is survived by: her brother, Richard Cole and his wife Elaine, Chatfield, MN; her sister in law, Edith Cole, Story City, IA; and her Aunt, Francis Cole, Ames, IA. Her six children: Virginia (Ginger) Thompson and husband Paul, Rochester, MN; William (Bill) Hiatt, Shenandoah, IA; Becky Hiatt, Ames, IA; Melinda Whisler and husband Mike, Hickman, NE; Elizabeth Hiatt, Ames, IA; and Christine Hiatt, Nevada, IA. Her grandchildren: Gregory Thompson, Jeffrey Thompson, Abigail Collins and Jack Collins.
Visitation
Thursday, September 27
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Soderstrum Funeral Home
618 Lafayette
Story City, IA 50236Funeral Service
Friday, September 28
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Salem Lutheran Church
102 S. Main St.
Roland, IA 50236Burial
Friday, September 28
2:45 PM to 3:00 PM
Roland Cemetery
59196 130th S.
Roland, IA 50236
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Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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