Virginia L. Brown, 92, of Dubuque passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2024.  Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm Friday, December 20 at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road.  Funeral services will be held at Center Grove Church at a later date with burial in Center Grove Cemetery following.

Virginia was born February 7, 1932 in Sioux City, Iowa, daughter of William and Virginia (Meissner) Herron. She was a graduate of Dubuque Senior High School, Class of 1950.  She later graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Dubuque in December 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education. She was also a member of the Kappa Delta Pi honor society.

On July 30, 1950, she married Robert S. Brown at Center Grove Church.  He preceded her in death on April 28, 1990.

After graduating from the University of Dubuque, Virginia worked at Peter Pan Pre-school, and was a substitute teacher for the Dubuque Public Schools, well into her 70’s.

Virginia was a lifelong member of Center Grove Methodist Church.  She was also a member of the United Methodist Women, as well as, PEO, Red Hat Society and DAR. She enjoyed reading, baking, gardening, playing cards and doing word puzzles. Virginia was also a prolific writer over much of her lifetime. She authored many church programs for both children and adults. She also wrote and performed routines based on her clown persona. While wintering in Texas, she wrote, produced, directed and starred in skits and plays for fellow residents in Mobile Gardens. Her most endearing writings were her compilation of several tomes of her family’s genealogy.

Virginia traveled extensively, with family and friends, both domestically and abroad. Having visited all of the United States except Alaska, she particularly enjoyed Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. Internationally, Virginia journeyed many times to most of Europe ; and spent two months traveling throughout New Zealand and Australia by car with her beloved brother, Kent. It was on this fabulous adventure that she fell in love with the Outback. Her most cherished trip, however, was to the Holy Land, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and the Sea of Galilee.

One of the most important things in life to Virginia was her family. All she ever wanted was a family who loved and cared for one another. She nurtured all her relationships and made lasting impressions on everyone she met. She had a compassionate and loving effect on people and knew how to make people feel genuinely good about themselves. Virginia made everyone she crossed paths with to feel important and seen. She would really take time to listen and retain details about your life, thus making you feel like the most special person in the room. It’s no wonder she made so many endearing friendships throughout the entirety of her life.

Virginia  is survived by four children, Steve W. Brown of Dubuque, Carol (Greg) Dennison of Port Arthur, Texas, Scott R. (Karen) Brown of Peosta, and Stuart K. Brown of Dubuque; seven grandchildren, Ashley, Dane and Grant (Jazmine) Dennison; Chenoa (Matt) Osweiler, Mathias Ginter and Nicole Henry; and Steffany (Bryan) Duhme; and eight great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Kimberly Brown; and a brother, William Kent “Doc” Herron.

The family would like to thank Dr. Benjamin Kumor and his staff and the nurses and staffs at  Sunset Park Place, Hawkeye Care Center, UnityPoint Health – Finley and Hospice of Dubuque.