Virginia Mae Backhaus-Donnelson, 75, of Bellevue, passed away Monday, October 28, 2013, at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday morning, November 1, 2013, at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellevue. Visitation for Virginia will be held from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Friday morning at the church prior to the service. A second visitation will be held on Saturday morning from 11:00 - 12:00 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa, with a Burial to follow in the Manning City Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue.

Virginia was born on September 8, 1938, in Ida Grove, Iowa, daughter of Harry and Milda (Schillerberg) Backhaus. She married Lyle Donnelson on September 18, 1976, in Arcadia, Iowa.

She was in the first class to graduate from Ar-We-Va high school as the class of 1957. She worked as a private secretary in Denison, Iowa, where she met Lyle.

Virginia was quiet and shy with a great sense of humor. She was caring, genuine and very strong. Virginia enjoyed baking, gardening and spending time with family especially her grandchildren.

Virginia and Lyle moved to Bellevue in 2005 where she became a member of St. John Lutheran Church and its Elizabeth Circle as well as a member of the PEO Chapter FL.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband of 37 years, Lyle Donnelson, of Bellevue; two daughters, Dr. Ranae (Larry) Yockey-Orrico, of Itasca, Illinois and Rhonda (Dr. Scott) Anderson, of Bellevue; six grandchildren, Chaz and Rachelle Orrico and Rebbecca, Matthew, Lucas and Marcus Anderson; and a brother, Dennis (Margaret) Backhaus.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and son, Todd Yockey.

The family would like to thank Mill Valley Care Center and Hospice for the special care and compassion shown to Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Jackson County or Boy Scout Troop 86, of Bellevue.