Virgia L. Savery

Virgia L. Savery, 80, of Soldier, Iowa, and formerly of Bentonville, Ark., passed away Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at her home in Soldier of natural causes. The memorial service was Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Soldier Lutheran Church in Soldier, Iowa. Armstrong Funeral Home of Mapleton and Ute, Iowa, was entrusted with the arrangements. The family is receiving condolences online at www.armstrongfuneral.com. Virgia Louise Savery entered this world Nov. 6, 1933, at Moorhead, Iowa, one of four children born to John P. and Anna (Kjeer) Johnson. She grew up in the Moorhead area and graduated from Moorhead High School. Virgia was united in marriage to Dale Savery at the Moorhead Lutheran Church on Sept. 12, 1954. The family began farming in 1954 in the Soldier and Ute area where they also raised their three sons. In 1987, Dale and Virgia moved to Bentonville, Ark., where she engaged seriously in the creation and sales of her craft items. She was never happier than when she was working away on her sewing machine and bringing hundreds of dolls and quilts to life. Her crafts were sold out of their home in Bentonville and she later had a store in Branson, Mo., which sent her dolls around the world. She absolutely wore out five sewing machines during these years but loved it all. Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls were her favorites. Due to illness and the need for family support, Dale and Virgia moved back to Soldier just weeks ago. During their years in Arkansas, Virgia treasured the times they spent back and forth with their kids and grandkids. She was a very active member of the Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bentonville. Family members surviving Virgia include Dale, her husband of 60 years; three sons, Don Savery and his wife, Mary Ann, of Soldier, Iowa, Gregg Savery of Missouri, and Jeff Savery and his wife, Shawn, of Peoria, Ariz.; five grandchildren.