Mary Virginia Crouse

Mary Virginia Crouse, 89, passed away on October 2, 2023 peacefully to go home with the Lord.

Virginia was born July 25, 1934 to Edwin and Helen Herron in Osceola, Iowa at home. She grew up in the town of Weldon, Iowa and was known as Moose by her brother Glen and Little Moose by her brother Kenneth. She attended school in Weldon and played on the basketball team and they called her spider because she was good at rebounding and intercepting the ball. She was also active in the church and enjoyed many activities and clubs with her friends that she liked to organize. One being the “Polly Pigtails” and the other “Calling all Girls”. She would organize skits and parades and everyone in town was invited.

Virginia married Winston H. Cannon in 1951 and had four children, John, Chris, Nancy and Gary. In 1970 she married Robert L. Crouse and had one child, Janet. She was always lovingly active in her children and grandchildren’s lives. Today we refer to her as the saint of the family.

Virginia graduated from LPN nursing school in 1969 and was on staff at Lutheran Hospital for 30 years before retiring. She was also a member of the Epworth United Church for over 70 years, and held many positions. She began helping in the nursery when her children were young, leading into teaching Sunday School – preschool and elementary classes. As Sunday School Superintendent she planned Vacation Bible School and Christmas Pageants, which many times included having her grandchildren visit her so they could attend also. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and helped with the free meal served at the church.

As a mom, her love was shown through her faith and all she did for her family and friends. Virginia was a Boy Scout Den leader for John, Chris and Gary. Family gatherings before a meal always started with a prayer. She organized many neighborhood activities and kept her friends close. She enjoyed coffee with friends, music and the theater, gardening, parties, but most of all spending time with her family.

Virginia is survived by her children, John (Juanita) Cannon, Chris (Carol) Cannon, Nancy (Jack) Ruby, Gary Cannon and Janet (Robert) Davis; step children, Craig (Joni) Crouse and Vickie (JD) Schnabel; 19 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; brother, Richard Herron and step daughter-in-law, Karen Crouse.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Crouse; daughter-in-law, Nancy L. Cannon; step son, Jim Crouse; sister, Carol Wypich; brothers, Glen Herron and Kenneth Herron and grandson, Jerry Titus.

Family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. until service time of 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 412 Euclid Ave., Des Moines. Following Virginia’s services there will be a luncheon at the church. Burial will take place following the luncheon at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Epworth United Methodist Church, in loving memory of Virginia.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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