Virginia Lee Bunse, 90, of Newton died Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025, at Newton Village. A funeral service was held at 1 p.m., Monday, Apr. 21, at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory, Newton. Memorials to Jasper County 4-H or Newton Village may be left at the funeral home.
Virginia was born Dec. 10, 1934, to Earl and Helen (Mott) Rothfus in Carlisle. She graduated from Carlisle High School and received her teaching degree from Simpson College. In 1957, Virginia spent six months in India as part of IFYE (Iowa Farm Youth Exchange) where she would make lifelong friendships.
Virginia then taught kindergarten in Tama before moving to Newton to teach at the Cottages. Feb. 7, 1965, Virginia was united in marriage with Werner Bunse at the Christian Church in Carlisle. They made their home in Newton and were blessed with two daughters, Julie and Mary. When Julie was born, Virginia stayed home to raise her family but always enjoyed staying involved with the school by helping with kindergarten roundup each year.
Through the years, Virginia was an active member at both Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Our Savior Lutheran, both in Newton. She was also involved with LWML (Lutheran Women Missionary League) and Delta Delta Delta. For over 25 years, Virginia was active with 4-H, from being a member to being the leader of the Sherman Sunbeams for many years. She was honored for her service to 4-H by being named the Jasper County Fair Grand Marshal and also receiving 4-H’s highest award, the Alumni Award in 1983. Virginia enjoyed baking, sewing, reading, puzzles, and coffeetime with friends. She especially loved time spent with her grandchildren.
Virginia is survived by her daughters Julie (Kevin) Van Manen of Kellogg and Mary (Kelly) Barnett of Newton; grandchildren Jacob (Kate) Van Manen and Emily (Braden) Larson; her great-grandchildren Kennedy and Karter Van Manen and Isabella and Anastasia Larson; and her nieces, nephews, cousins, IFYE’s friends, and many other wonderful neighbors and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Werner in 2015; sister Martha (Worth) Overton; brother Robert Rothfus; sister-in-law Jean Rothfus; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Edna and Wesley Allbery; and two nephews Randy Allbery and Dennis Rothfus.
