Virgil E West, son of Arthur and Gladys (Juhl) West, was born on the family farm near Estherville, Iowa on March 29, 1934. He passed away at his apartment at Homestead of Estherville on March 19, 2024, at the age of 89 years.
Virgil graduated from Gruver High School in 1951. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1952, he served during the Korean Conflict until he was honorably discharged in 1955. He returned to Emmet County to farm. In 1956, he was united in marriage to Viola Berge at Immanuel Lutheran Church south of Gruver. The family farmed in Emmet County for many years on their Heritage Farm. Upon his retirement from farming, Virgil enjoyed helping Kathy Asman in her 2nd grade special education classroom for four years. Virgil and Viola enjoyed spending winters in Arizona. Viola passed away on September 22, 2021.
Virgil was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church south of Gruver, until its recent closing. He was a member of the Estherville Saddle Club and Toastmasters. Virgil was active in the Church Council. He was very supportive of the Ingham Lake Bible Camp where he served on the board. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought great joy to his life.
Left to cherish Virgil’s memory are his children, Michelle West; Steven (Sherry) West; Michael (Leanne) West; Denise (Luke) Jenkins; his seven grandchildren, Heather (Jay) Heims, Amy (Chase) Crosby, Autumn West-Riley, Brian (Kayla) West, Rachel (Matthew) Tomlinson, Eric (Madison) West, and Michael Mann; six great grandchildren, Weston and Erica Heims and Payton Seiff, Isaiah and Levi Tomlinson and Aria West.
He has been preceded in death by his parents, his wife Viola, his brothers Larry and Wayne West, and his sister Joyce “Sally” Alger.
Memorials are preferred to Ingham Lake Bible Camp.
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