Virginia Richie

Virginia Richie, 91, of Corning, Iowa, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026, at the Lenox Care Center in Lenox, Iowa.

Virginia was born on June 25, 1934, on the family farm in Bridgewater, Iowa, to George and Velma (Gordon) Hight. She graduated from Corning High School with the Class of 1952 and later attended and graduated from AIB Business School in Des Moines, Iowa.

Throughout her life, Virginia held several positions, her career was working as a Dictaphone telephone operator and later on as a secretary for Phillips Petroleum, housekeeping at Corning Nursing & Rehab Center, and as a cook at Hy-Vee. She was especially known for her wonderful cooking. During her time cooking at Hy-Vee, many customers made it a point to stop in when they knew she was working.

Virginia cherished life on the farm, where she enjoyed gardening and caring for the many farm cats. Family was the center of her life, and countless treasured memories were made around her table sharing meals with loved ones. She was known as a loyal and trusting friend and a devoted mother. In her spare time, she found a love for watching NASCAR and cheering on her favorite driver, Tony Stewart.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Terry Richie of Corning; daughter, June (Frank) Ballantini of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren, Allysa (Austin) Clements of Johnston, Iowa, and Michael (Victoria) Ballantini of Bondurant, Iowa; and great-granddaughter, Makenna Clements.

Virginia was preceded in death by her first husband, Chuck Bennett; her second husband, Charles Richie Jr.; son, Galen Richie; her parents, George and Velma; infant brother, Vernon Gordon; and stepson, Stanley Richie.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center in Corning, Iowa.