Virtus Scott, 91, of Clinton, passed away February 9, 2023. Virtus was born June 12, 1931, the son of Nels and Elizabeth (Ehlers) Scott. He was born at home on a farm near Nashville, IA. Virtus lived at that residence until the age of 3 where he then moved to a farm Northwest of Delmar, known at the Koon place. He lived there until the age of 9, before moving to what would become the family farm Southwest of Delmar. He attended Delmar High School, graduating in 1948.

Virtus was an active member in the 4-H program in Clinton County for many years. He was elected a county officer and enjoyed showing steers at local shows and the International Show in Chicago, IL. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February, 1953. Virtus completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and was sent to Fort Belvoir, VA for Combat Construction Foreman School. From here he was attached to the Air Force and stationed on the Island of Okinawa, Japan during the Korean Conflict. While in Korea, Virtus was assigned a truck to haul rock, building an air strip 200 ft wide and 9000 ft long. He also served as a Motor Pool Dispatcher. He boarded the boat for home on Christmas Day, 1954. He was honorably discharged in January 1955.

Virtus married his longtime sweetheart, Mary Jean Gerwulf, March 20^th, 1955 at the Lutheran Church in Lost Nation. The couple began farming the family farm that spring. Virtus and Mary Jean had three children, Karen Marie, Kevin Lee and Kathie Michele. Each affectionately known as Sis, Tigger and Sam respectively. Throughout his kids’ growing up years, Virtus was actively involved in their 4-H and FFA activities. He was a 4-H Leader for the Delmar Hot Shots and served on the County Youth Committee, County Extension Council(1 year as president) and a member of the Clinton County Fairboard for 18 years(serving 2 years as president). He was inducted into the Clinton County Fair Hall of Fame in 2002. Virtus also spent time as a member of the Clinton County Pork Producers and the Jackson & Clinton County 100 Bushel Corn Club. He was a dealer for both Funks G and Golden Harvest Seed Corn for 15 years.

Mr. Scott’s love was farming the family farm. However, he also spent time working part-time in the construction field for Crist Construction and Gravert Construction, both of Delmar.  He served 6 years as a substitute rural mail carrier in Delmar while also going to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture ASCS Office in DeWitt as a Field/Office Assistant before becoming a full-time mail carrier for 9 years. He retired in 1998. Several former residents on his route continue to voice to the family that he was the best mail carrier they have ever had. In his retirement, he enjoyed driving cars for Rotmann Motors and Burnett Thiel. He was a member of American Legion Post 75 and a life member of VFW post 3633, both in Maquoketa. He served as Commander for 2 years receiving the All State Commander Award. His favorite past time of all, was attending his grandchildren’s many school and sporting events. He was known to say, “Had I known having grandkids would be so fun, I’d have had them first”.

Virtus is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Jean of Clinton. Son, Kevin (Darcy) Scott of Clinton daughter, Kathie (Leon, Jr) Oberman of Elvira, and son-in-law Kent Brix of Grand Mound. Grandchildren Ryan (Kayla) Brix, Derek Brix, Ashley Brix, Lindsey (DeMarcus) Jackson, Kaitlyn (Scott) Steines, Zachary Scott, Gabbie Scott, Zoey Scott, Jarod Berggren, Kaia Berggren, Adelida Oberman, Allison Oberman, Ella Oberman, Elana Oberman. Great-grandchildren Emery and Jackson Steines, Izabella and Grace Lynn Brix and Kara Brix. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Brix, an infant brother and two sisters, Lola McClimon and Arlene Nolting.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:30 A.M., Monday, February 13, 2023 at Carson Celebration of Life in Maquoketa, Iowa.  Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 A.M. to 11:15 A.M at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Union Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa, with military honors.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Virtus L. Scott memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.