Virginia Lorraine Bandel

Virginia Lorraine Kester Bandel, 86, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at the IOOF Home from complications of a stroke. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Church of Christ, 710 N. Kentucky Ave. Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 PM Friday at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Family requests memorials be directed to the Church of Christ, the IOOF Home or Hospice of North Iowa.

Virginia was born April 5, 1930, on the farm in Olmsted County, MN to Edward Clinton and Luella Elfreda Predmore Kester. She graduated from Chatfield High School in 1948 and married Glen Edward Bandel on October 29, 1948 at the Church of Christ in Marion, MN. Virginia attended Minnesota Bible College.

Virginia faithfully supported her husband in many ministry positions and other employments throughout their married life. It was because of her faith that challenged Glen to become a minister. Early in the marriage she did chalk drawings to music, sang specials and played the piano for church. Virginia enjoyed listening to church music, clear up to the last few days of her life. She was an excellent homemaker and cook for her family, including canning vegetables from her garden. She worked part-time out of the home on different occasions, but being home with her family was her true love. The smell of baked bread, chocolate chip cookies, Special K bars, pigs in a blanket, elephant tracks and other favorites was in the air when you walked in after school. She did a great job caring for her husband and four children as well as keeping a spotless home. Over the years she enjoyed lunch out with her husband Glen every day.

Virginia is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 68 years, Glen, who sat faithfully by her side 10 to 11 hours a day for the past six months following her stroke. She is survived by her four children, Dean (Pam) Bandel, Centerburg, OH, Judy (Lowell ‘Butch’) Kroneman, Grafton, IA, Dale (LuAnn) Bandel, Gary, SD and Betty ‘BJ’ (Bob) Hoffman, Lake City, MN, ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild due in November. Virginia is also survived by one sister, Eleanor Hanke of Rochester, MN and many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death in by her parents, three brothers, two sisters and four great grandchildren.