Virginia Messenger

Virginia Rosalene "Ginger" (Goss) Messenger, age 78, of Malvern, IA, passed away August 20, 2011 at the family cabin near Fort Collins, Colorado.

Virginia Rosalene Messenger, one of seven children of Elsie Margaret (Jensen) and Roy Richard Goss, was born on October 20, 1932 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Fondly known as "Ginger", she grew up in Council Bluffs where she attended school.

Ginger and Floyd Eugene "Pete" Messenger were married on March 19, 1950 in Council Bluffs. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Cynthia Susan, Floyd Michael, Dennis Paul, and Rebecca Ann. The family lived on several farms before finally making their home on the Messenger family farm near Malvern in the '80s.

Ginger was a busy farm wife, homemaker, and was an exceptional bookkeeper for the farm and dozer business records. She shared in Pete's passion for flying and traveled extensively with him in the plane he owned and piloted for many, many years. They also purchased twenty acres near Fort Collins, Colorado and built a large one room cabin with two decks. This cabin was named, "U4EA" (Euphoria), and was a place, frequented often and loved by not only Ginger, Pete and their family, but also many relatives and friends. Ginger enjoyed playing cards and games with her friends. She also enjoyed cooking and baking. Ginger was a compassionate friend and neighbor, always helping others in need.

Ginger and Pete were married 61 years when Pete passed away at their farm home near Malvern on November 14, 2010.

Ginger was on vacation with family when she passed away on August 20, 2011, at the cabin in Colorado. She attained the age of 78 years and 10 months. Ginger was preceded in death by her parents; husband Pete; son Mike Messenger; sisters, Beverly Markussen, and Vivian Hartz; brother Darrell "Lee" Goss; and brother-in-law Lee Messenger.

Ginger is survived by her children, Cindy Murphy and husband Dave of Harlan, IA, Paul Messenger and wife Salinda of Lanham, MD, and Becky Lichtenberg and husband Jerome of Ida Grove, IA; sister Ruth Lambertson of Harlan; brothers, LaVerne Goss and wife Peggy of Council Bluffs, and David Goss and wife Elaine of Pewaukee, WI; sisters-in-law, Chris Goss of Council Bluffs, and Mary Messenger Powell of McKinney, TX; brother-in-law, Stanley Hartz of Denver, CO; ten grandchildren; three great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to:
Heartland Hospice, Red Oak, IA or Silver City United Methodist Church.

Interment in Silver City Cemetery.