Virginia Luella Larson Barber Ullrick, 91, Ames, returned to her heavenly home on December 22, 2018 after a brief illness. She will be remembered by many for her strong faith, devotion to family and friends, hard work, and community service.
Stevens Memorial Chapel is in charge of final arrangements. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church (2900 Hoover Ave., Ames, IA 50010) from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., prayer vigil, and rosary will begin at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 28, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. Private burial will be at the Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Virginia was born to Clifford and Alice (McDonald) Larson on March 29, 1927, in Nevada, IA. She was the third of 13 children and grew up in the central Iowa area. She married Irvin Barber in 1942 and they had four children: Donald, David, Alice, and Rosalee. Irvin passed away in 1959. She was united in marriage to Leo Barber in 1960 and they were blessed with Clifford and Gary. Leo passed away in 1975. She was joined in marriage to Richard Ullrick in 1984 and lovingly added his six children to the family: Richard, Linda, Carol, Theresa, Vicki, and Kim.
Virginia was a loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She worked at various jobs in the community, including Barber Bros. Garbage Service and McFarland Clinic. She gave of her time to many organizations including Women of the Moose, Catholic Daughters, St. Mary's Circle, RSVP - Pen Pals, and United Way. She felt honored to be the recipient of the Governor's Volunteer Award. She had a love for sewing and teaching her skills to family and friends whenever she could. Virginia was most proud to be able to share her sewing skills by participating in St. Cecilia's Days for Girls in Africa program. In addition to her sewing, she enjoyed baking for and with her family. Through the years, she enjoyed visiting with family and friends, square dancing, camping, playing cards, working puzzles with her friends, reading, and traveling.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Mary Belle, Clifford, Chester, Rose (Lloyd Warren), and Vivian (James Anderson); brothers-in-law Harold Whetstone, Ron Frier, Frank Frodyma, and Don Brennan; stepson Richard Ullrick, Jr.; granddaughter Shelley Barber, great-grandson Cody Hopkins. She is survived by siblings Lois (Glen Brown), Evelyn Frier, Edna Whetstone, Larry (Erma), Ada Frodyma, Robert (Joyce), and Eileen Brennan; sister-in-law Pat Faber. She is survived by children Donald (Jolene Hynes), David (Susan), Alice (Steve Moore), Rosalee (Kelly Kibby), Clifford (Jen), Gary (Shari); her late husband's children Linda King, Carol Kent, Teresa (Mike Hapes), Vicki (Larry Plumlee), and Kim Schnall. She is also survived by her former daughter-in-law, Leanna Barber (best friend), 29 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.
Virginia has requested memorial contributions to be made to the St. Cecilia’s Days for Girls in Africa program or the Bliss Cancer Center.
