Virginia D. (Hochstetler) Allensworth, 95, of Kalona, died Monday, July 11, 2022, at Pleasantview in Kalona.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, July 21, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the Kalona United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona, where the family will greet friends from 4 – 6 PM. A memorial fund has been established for the Kalona United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Virginia Darleen Allensworth, 95, of Kalona, died Monday, July 11, 2022, at Pleasantview Nursing Home in Kalona. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, July 21, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the Kalona United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona, where the family will greet friends from 4 – 6 PM. A memorial fund has been established for the Kalona United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Virginia Darleen (Hochstetler) Allensworth was born February 11, 1927, in rural Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of LeRoy and Annie (Speas) Hochstetler. During her years in high school, she participated in Band, playing the French horn. In competition, she received a Superior score. She graduated valedictorian from Kalona High School in 1945. She acquired a teaching certificate at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She taught one-room rural school around Kalona. On August 3, 1947, she was united in marriage to Rex Allensworth at the Methodist Church in Kalona. It was an evening service. A record 100 degrees on a very hot humid night. So hot, the wax candles were melting and not straight anymore. Her Father, LeRoy, between pictures would run his hand up the candles to straighten them. For a short period of time, the family moved to Tipton, Iowa. About 1 1/2 years later they returned to Kalona. She held many different jobs over the years: clerk at the Kalona Post Office, Census taker for a couple of the Federal Censuses and county census taker for several surrounding counties, a patient aide at University Hospital, guide at Kalona Historical Village, cleaned offices of English River Pellets and taught Pre-School. She loved children and they loved her. Always a teacher, making every encounter with them a learning experience. When health permitted Virginia LOVED to attend the Mid-Prairie High school basketball games. She had her “reserved” space on the bleachers. She also loved to watch Hawkeye basketball on the TV. She couldn’t understand why her daughter wasn’t watching those games in Colorado. She was a lifetime member of the Kalona United Methodist Church, active in the United Methodist Women’s group, held several offices, taught Sunday school, and cared for the Altar appointments and candles. Virginia was also a lifetime member of the Kalona Historical Society, Kalona Public Library, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include her daughter Elaine Martin of Littleton, CO, and son-in-law Steve (Glenna) Lowry of Topeka, KS. Three grandchildren: John (Becky) Lowry of Shawnee, KS, Tim (Erica) Lowry of De Soto, KS, and Eric Martin of Littleton, CO. Six great-grandchildren: Jacob and Lucas Lowry of Shawnee, KS, Mia, Olivia, Kyler, and Brantley Lowry of De Soto, KS., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Virginia in death were her parents LeRoy and Annie Hochstetler, husband Rex Allensworth, daughter Elizabeth Lowry, son-in-law M. Lloyd Martin II, and brother LeRoy Hochstetler, Jr.
