MT. AUBURN:  Virginia Mardean Wiest, age 87, died Monday, June 5, 2006 at the LaPorte City Nursing and Rehab Center in LaPorte City following an extended illness.
     Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, June 8, 2006 at the Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church with Rev. Julie McCullough officiating.  Private Committal Services will be held at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery.  Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. 6th ST., from 5 to 7 P.M. on Wednesday.
     Virginia was born February 12, 1919 near Mt. Auburn to Carl and Lena (Knaack) Bridge.  On February 22, 1941 she married Frank E. Wiest at Hillsboro, MO.  The couple farmed from 1946 until 1960.  He preceded her in death on January 10, 1994.
      Prior to her retirement, Virginia has been employed at Rath Packing, Waterloo Credit Bureau, and the LaPorte City Telephone Office.  She was a member of the Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church for 87 years where she played the Piano and taught Sunday School.  Virginia also taught piano to students, and was active in Tops
     She is survived by her daughters, Lee Andra (Russell) Coots of Mt. Auburn, and Karla (Douglas) Darnell of Brooklyn Center, MN; five grandchildren, Allen Coots of Sterling, IL, Karey (Philip) Cooper of Pontavetra, FL, Dray Darnell of Albertville, MN, Bryce (Pamela) Darnell of Webb City, MO, and Flavel (Casey) Darnell of Carl Junction, MO; and six great grandchildren.
     In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.