Virginia Louise Wheeler

Virginia Wheeler left this world to be with her love, Ed, on November 30, 2021. She was 95. Visitation will be held on December 8, 2021 from 4-6 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.

Born in Long Beach California on May 18th, 1926 to Herman and Mary (Whitteberry) Weaver, her parents soon separated while she was an infant. Her mother would remarry when Virginia was 18 months old to Earl Kisor, who raised her as his own. At the age of 18, she would marry Richard Friel just before he was shipped out. Sadly, he was killed in action a year later. Though she remained friends with several members of his family all her life. After the war, she was set up on a blind date with a young veteran, Ed Wheeler. As soon as she saw him, she knew she was going to marry him. They were wed on October 5, 1946. Together they had five children and the Wheeler home was where all the neighborhood children gathered. There were always fresh baked cookies or popsicles available to anyone that visited. Even after her own children were grown, children would still visit to ask for cookies.

After her children were in school, she worked for many years in a secretarial position at the TB Association, The Book Binding Company, and Des Moines Osteopathic College of Science and Medicine.

She is survived by her children, Jeff (Geri) Wheeler of Bode, IA, Cheryl Nolan of West Des Moines, IA, Debbie (Frank) Holmes of Ankeny, IA, Lisa (Ben) Devick of Des Moines, IA, and Teresa Wheeler of West Des Moines, IA;

She was blessed with seven grandchildren, John Nolan, Rusty Nolan, Jim Wheeler, Laura (Wheeler) Lowe, Timothy Nolan, Courtney (Nolan) Schwarz, and Sharayah (Devick) Coffin.

Her 11 great-grandchildren Hannah, Hailey, and Hudson Wheeler, Killian and Griffin Schwarz, Hunter Nolan, Aveda, and Summer Nolan, Christian Lowe, Chloe Ross, and Weslyn Coffin, were the lights of her life.

She was preceeded in death by both husbands, infant grandson Timmy Nolan, granddaughter- in- law, Fran Nolan, both parents and step-parents, and two half-sisters, Delores Hobbs and Penny Poole of California.

A special thanks to MercyOne Hospice. Also to Jan and Donna at Donna’s Hair Creations who always kept Virginia looking like the Queen.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hope Ministries, the Des Moines Food Pantry, or St. Jude Hospital. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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