Mary Virginia (Elledge) FARRAN RUMREICH

RUMREICH, FARRAN, BARNHILL, ELLEDGE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/4/2008 at 18:05:32

May 27, 1920 -- October 18, 2006

ROCHESTER, MN -- Mary Virginia Farran Rumreich, 86, of Rochester, died Wednesday (Oct. 18, 2006) at Seasons Hospice, following a brief illness. She was born May 27, 1920, in Exline, Iowa. She lived in Coulter, Iowa, where she attended grade school. As a high school student, she boarded in Hampton, Iowa, and graduated from Hampton High School. She worked as a "hired girl" on a farm and was a teacher in a one-room country school. She also worked at the Coulter Post Office.

She married Robert Farran on June 4, 1939, and lived first in Hampton then Clarion, Iowa. In 1963, the family moved to Rochester, where her husband died. She was employed at JC Penney, managing the catalog desk until her retirement. In 1995, she married George Rumreich and moved to Grand Rapids, Minn. Following Mr. Rumreich's death in 1996, she returned to Rochester. She volunteered at Rochester Methodist Hospital, working in the gift shop. She was a member of the Congregational Church for many years and attended services at Pax Christi Catholic Church in her later years. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and cooking, and was a fan of the Twins.

Survivors include three sons, Michael (Susan) Farran of Coralville, Iowa, Jeffrey (Rhonda) Farran of Plymouth, Minn., and Patrick Farran of Mantorville; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Barnhill of Los Angeles. Other survivors include a sister-in-law, Mary Elledge of San Diego. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands and a brother.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date in Rowan Cemetery, in Rowan, Iowa. Memorials are preferred to the family. Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes of Rochester is in charge of local arrangements.