Virginia Wille

Virginia Mae Wille, 94, of Iola, Kansas, died Sunday, November 6, 2011, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola. Virginia was born January 20, 1917, at Yates Center, Kansas, the daughter of Everett and Amy (Rockwell) Shaefer. She grew up in Yates Center and graduated from Yates Center High School. Virginia attended business college in Topeka before she married Jerome "Jerry" Wille on June 7, 1938, in Topeka. They made their home in Iola, Great Bend, Salina before returning to Iola in 1960. Mr. Wille preceded her in death on March 24, 1975. Virginia started working at Sigg & Sanders Greenhouse in Iola. She bought the business and moved it to the north side of the Iola square and operated it as Virginia's Flowers. She sold the flower shop and opened a restaurant in Piqua called Virginia's Sophisticated Chicken. She later sold it and ran Wille Retail Liquor. In her later years, she worked at Iola Pharmacy, Classy Attic and as a representative for Great Plains Credit Union until she was 87. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church and Altar Society in Iola and traveled to Belize, Central America on a mission trip with the church when she was in her 70's. Virginia was active in the Allen County Democrats and the state Democratic organization serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. She was also active in the local, state and national B.P.W. organization and D.A.R. SURVIVORS: 3 Daughters: Judy Willett & husband, Pete of Topeka, KS, Sandy Gilbertson & husband, Bob of Antioch, IL, and Cathy Lynch & husband, Marvin of Iola, KS 2 Daughter-In-Laws: Eileen Wille of Moran, KS, and Martha Wille of Iola, KS 11 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandson She was preceded in death by 2 sons, Michael R. "Mike" Wille in 1994, and Jerome J. "Jody" Wille, Jr. in 2011, 1 daughter, Michelle R. "Missy" Bolen in 1995, sister Frances Rae Smith, grandson James Lynch and great grandson Hunter Shaw. VISITATION: 5:00-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. ROSARY & MASS: The parish rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, followed by the celebration of the mass at 10:30 a.m. both at St. John's Catholic Church in Iola. The Reverend Robert B. Wachter will officiate. BURIAL: St. Martin's Catholic Cemetery, Piqua, Kansas MEMORIAL CHOICES: Virginia M. Wille Allen County Community College Scholarship Fund, Allen County Community Foundation New Hospital Campaign or St. John's Catholic Church Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .