Medberry, Vina M.

Vina M. Medberry died Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at Stoney Brook Village in West Union. She was 101 years old.

Vina May, the fourth child of George Ulysses and Lizzie Marie (Keeling) Dodge, was born May 9, 1910, on a farm near Spencer, Iowa. After graduating from East High School in Sioux City she attended Morningside College in Sioux City one year and then transferred to Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, graduating in 1931. Vina taught school for one year in Kamrar, Iowa. She met Max Medberry while attending college in Cedar Falls and they were united in marriage on May 27, 1932. Two children were born to this union.

After living on a farm for many years, they moved to Elgin in 1960. Max preceded her in death in September 1966. Vina worked as a bookkeeper for Bob Falb Implement for 16 years, retiring in 1975.

Vina was a member of the Elgin Study Club, Valley Senior Citizen organization, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and was instrumental in the organization and implementation of the Elgin mealsite. She also helped with distributing the government commodities.

Vina enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states and several countries, including England, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Russia. She thoroughly enjoyed watching all kinds of sports, and she especially enjoyed watching her grandsons play baseball at Valley High School. Her passions for cards and reading books were lifelong.

Vina is survived by her son, Clifford and his wife, Elinor, of Elgin; her daughter, Barbara and her husband, Roger Ness, of Minneapolis; her grandchildren, Scott Medberry, Kevin Medberry, David Ness, Eric Ness and Peter Ness; and her great-grandchildren, Priya Medberry, Andrew Medberry, Nicole Medberry, Max Ness and Martin Ness.

Vina was preceded in death by her husband, Max; her granddaughter, Janet Kay Medberry; her parents; two brothers, Everett and Wayne; and two sisters, Beulah and Hazel.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elgin and one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Elgin. The Rev. Rick Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Elgin Cemetery.

Condolences may be left with: .

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.