Virginia Frank, 101 of Shenandoah passed away on Tuesday morning, February 24, 2026 at Accura Healthcare in Shenandoah.  At her request, her body has been donated to the University of Iowa for medical research.  Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Essex Presbyterian Church.  The family will greet friends one hour prior to services at the church.   Memorials may be directed to the Shenandoah Public Library or the Shenandoah School District Education Foundation

Margaret Virginia Wayt was born November 19, 1924, to Margaret Grimes Wayt and Joseph Dawson Wayt. She was their only child. Virginia passed away on February 24, 2026, at Accura Healthcare of Shenandoah, Iowa at the age of 101.

In January 1928, her family moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, renting a little house. She remembered sitting on the step at the end of the front sidewalk, visiting with anyone who came by. Social from a young age, knowing no stranger. Conversation was her favorite past time, and she could always make a connection, knowing a friend in common, or a teacher, a cousin, etc. from the same town. She was an early pioneer in networking, doing it for pure fun.

Graduating from Shenandoah High School in 1942, she continued her education at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa. World War II had begun, making the experience similar to going to a woman's college. However, a handsome freshman, Richard Frank, caught her eye. She tried being a matchmaker, setting him up with a sorority daughter for an upcoming dance. He said "No, don't know how to dance." Not sure whose idea it was to have dance lessons on a country bridge in the darkness of night, but the sorority daughter never had a chance. Virginia & Richard were married January 18, 1947. Their marriage lasted just 2 months short of 75 years, when Richard died November 21, 2021.

Richard and Virginia raised four daughters: Jan, Beth, Carol & Sandy. As time went by, sons-in-law were added: Dave Crow, John Schuckman and Paul Zuvanich. And then came grandchildren: Elena de Ois; Jarvis, Jay & Tyler Schuckman; Laura, Kevin & Brian Crow; Sarah, Drew & Maggie Zuvanich; and the frosting on the cake, the great-grandchildren: Alexander, Penny, Maverick, Brooke, Tanner & Westin Schuckman; Enzo, Elliotte and Cooper Crow.

Virginia loved bringing everyone together for fun at fun places. But, most of all, she loved having everyone around her big, round table. She was an amazing hostess, generous with her time, generous with her money and generous with her opinions! One of her favorite phrases was "Let's talk politics".

Teaching was a big part of her life. She taught Freshman English at Simpson College, 1946-1949. And then, while keeping up with four daughters, she taught High School English at Farragut for 19 years, 1968-1987. Her last few years were spent at Accura Healthcare. She loved interacting with the staff (most of the time - she could be a stinker!), and they took good care of her. Never did she wonder why she was still on this earth: she continued her networking, writing letters and cards, making telephone calls, and reading books.

She was a child of the Depression, a teen when WWII started and an adult when her peers were defined as the Greatest Generation. She certainly did her part with her peers to earn the title. We will miss her.