Virginia “Ginny” Mae (Rose) Garland

Virginia “Ginny” Mae (Rose) Garland was born September 3rd, 1939, in Colfax, Iowa to Earl Daft Rose and Sadie (Hockey) Rose.

She married Jerry Edward Garland on December 5th, 1955, and they had five children.

Ginny loved being outdoors and getting back to nature. As a young girl, she spent many summers with her parents and her sister, Miriam, camping and fishing at Elbow Lake, Lake Vermillion, and Long Lake, in Minnesota. They also spent one summer at the Mississippi River. 

After her parents moved to Geddes, South Dakota in 1979, Jerry, Ginny, and their children and grandchildren spent many vacations in and around Geddes. Everyone always enjoyed those days – working in the garden, fishing, chopping firewood, riding horses, getting ice cream at the little café in town, staying at the Dakota Country Inn, visiting the Pizza Ranch in the nearby town of Platte, and making beautiful memories with Earl and Sadie. 

In keeping with family tradition, Jerry and Ginny took their children on vacation to the cabins at Elbow Lake in the 1960’s. Around 2000, jerry and Ginny returned to the cabin for another vacation as a reminder of the fond memories from their earlier trips to the lake.

Throughout her lifetime, she enjoyed camping, hiking, boating, and fishing. She made many special memories over the years, enjoying these fun outdoor activities with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They spent many days camping at Jester Park and boating and fishing in many locations including Saylorville Lake, the Des Moines River, and the North Wheeler Recreation Area near Geddes, South Dakota.

Ginny died quietly in her bed at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona, Iowa on Sunday, August 9th, 2026.

Those left to cherish Ginny’s memory include her four surviving children, Jerry A. (Deb) Garland, Barry E. (Patty) Garland, Cheryl, and Carla S. VanDusseldorp, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many other friends and family members. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry, daughter Carol, brother-in-law Raymond, and granddaughter Jessica.

There will be a visitation held from 5-7pm on Friday, August 14th at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon St., Des Moines IA, 50309. The funeral service will be held at 10am Saturday, August 15th, also at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery immediately following the funeral.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Ginny will be missed and remembered by all who loved her. May she rest in peace.