"You are all in our thoughts at this time of sorrow. Mom enjoyed knowing and working with Virginia very much. She Aalways said Virginia was a great cook! We will both miss her. We are unable to attend the services as Mom is not able to travel at this time. We send you our condolences and prayers, Jerry and Catherine Snapp"
In loving memory of
Virginia Winans
March 13, 2006
Virginia Ellavonne Winans, the daughter of John McMurray Kindhart and Sylvia Lorena (Mercer) Kindhart, was born April 21, 1919 on a farm near Macedonia, Iowa. John and Sylvia died during the flu epidemic in 1931. Virginia was adopted by her Aunt Nellie Jensen and husband Albert who lived near Council Bluffs, Iowa. Virginia attended country school near the Jensen home. Virginia's gift for baking and cooking was apparent at a young age and she was called upon to cook for local farm families during harvest and other times.
Virginia and John Woodrow Winans of Carson, Iowa were married December 3, 1936 and established their first home on a farm in the Carson area. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Philip, Gavin, and Cheryl. They later established Winans Hardware Store in Carson where Virginia worked as needed. She also accepted a position as cook for the Carson School District and later managed and eventually purchased Perky's Pantry restaurant. Virginia established Big John's Drive-in in Carson and retired in 1984. Virginia was a member of the Carson United Methodist Church and the Order of Eastern Star. In addition to baking and cooking, Virginia's other enjoyments were caring for her spring flowers, and crocheting items for her family and friends. Not being suited for retirement at age 65, Virginia began a fifteen-year cooking career at Jack's Restaurant in Oakland, IA, retiring when the business was sold in April 2005.
Virginia and John had been married 69 years when Virginia suffered a heart attack at her home on March 13, 2006 and died at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. She had attained the age of 86 years, 10 months, and 22 days. She was preceded in death by her biological and adoptive parents; sisters Hildreth Larsen, Wilma "Glee" Bruce, Doris Haack, Bernadine Stark, and Marilyn Andrews; and brother Oval "Bill" Kindhart.
Virginia is survived by her husband John of Carson; children Philip Winans and wife Kathleen of Omaha, Gavin Winans and his wife Diane of Ft. Worth, TX, and Cheryl Winans of Omaha; five grandchildren Troy Winans and wife Sherry, Joshua Stanfield, Mica Stanfield, Sara Winans, and Reid Winans; sister Jacqueline Durfee of Council Bluffs; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.