Virginia D. Primrose

Virginia Dell Primrose, one of five daughters of Frank Edwin and Hildor Louise (Borene) Chamberlain, was born on May 9, 1920 on a farm southwest of Malvern, Iowa. She grew up and attended Goodfellow and Maple Grove country schools and graduated from Malvern High School in 1938. While in school, Virginia was active in 4-H and won honors judging poultry at the Iowa State Fair, the International Livestock Exposition, and the World Poultry Congress at Cleveland, Ohio. After high school, she attended Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska and the University of Omaha and received her teaching degree. Virginia taught at several country schools including Forest Grove, Maple Grove, Foxworthy, Elm Grove, and Pleasant Valley. She also taught 2nd grade at Chantry Elementary School in Malvern. After 21 years, Virginia retired from teaching but continued to substitute for another 12 years. She later was a bookkeeper for the Blackburn Oil Company in Malvern. Virginia and Donald Ashley Primrose were married on June 8, 1958 at her parent's home near Malvern. They lived in the house Don had built on Lincoln Avenue in Malvern, and their marriage was blessed with a son, Richard Frank. Vi...[more]

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nia was a member of the Malvern First Baptist Church and at the young age of 14 years, she began teaching Sunday School. In 1990, Virginia was acknowledged for her 56 years of service in the Sunday School Department. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the HSC Club. Virginia enjoyed gardening and attending area craft shows where Don displayed his woodworking and handmade crafts. The family enjoyed traveling, and their favorite destination was Estes Park, Colorado. Virginia and Don were married 42 years when Don passed away on June 14, 2000 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Following Don's death, Virginia remained active, and she and Richard continued to travel and spend time together. Virginia passed away at her home in Malvern on July 29, 2009, at the age of 89 years, 2 months, and 20 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Donald Primrose; sisters, Twyla Johnson and husband Vinton "Bud", and Velma Houts; and brother-in-law, Robert Christensen. Virginia is survived by her son, Richard Primrose of Malvern; sisters, Elva Sargent and husband Merrill of Pacific Junction, IA, and Naomi Christensen of Council Bluffs, IA; brother-in-law, Lyle Houts of Rockport, MO; sister-in-law, Mae Babbitt of Malvern; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends. Interment in the Malvern Cemetery. A Memorial Fund has been established.