Virginia Alberta, daughter of Earl and Pearl (Jentsch) Lathrop, was born December 26, 1916, in Botna, Iowa. Her father died when Virginia was three years old. She and her mother and brother moved to Manning to live with her grandparents Emma and Paul Jentsch. Her mother married Henry Brandhorst of Manning and the family continued to live there where Virginia attended school.

On October 8, 1935, Virginia was united in marriage with Kennard Chaney at Marysville, Missouri. Before and during World War II, they lived in Alameda, CA, Anaheim, CA, and Omaha, NE. They were the parents of one daughter, Carole. Following the war, they moved to Audubon, IA, where Ken operated Chaney Jewelry Store. After Ken's death in 1971, Virginia moved to Manning where she worked at Genevieve's Clothing Store. She and good friend Arlo Pfannkuch spent many good times together. She especially enjoyed playing Bingo and doted on her dog, a Chihuahua named Mickey.

Virginia's health began to fail in the early 1990s. She eventually became a resident of Friendship Home in Audubon where she died on Sunday, December 25, 2005, at the age of 88 years, 11 months and 29 days.

Preceding Virginia in death are her parents; stepfather; husband; parents-in-law Dr. Harley Chaney and wife Lucille and niece Peggy Davis Malloy.

She is survived by her daughter Carole and husband Howard Hecker of Coon Rapids, MN; three grandchildren: Michael Hecker and wife Connie of Minneapolis, MN; Laura Westra and fiancée Jay Youngman of Lake Tahoe, CA and Julie Holliday of Brentwood, CA; seven great-grandchildren and one great-greatgranddaughter; brother Russell Lathrop and wife Joyce of San Mateo, CA; nephew Larry Lathrop of Jackson, CA: sister-and brother-in-law Rosalie and Grover Davis of Audubon; niece Kathi and husband Mel Malochosky of Keosaqua; nephew Timothy Davis and wife Theresa of Golden Gate, Fl; other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held in June of 2006 at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning.