Virginia Ellen Carns Woods, 92, of Plattsmouth, NE, formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away Monday, September 16, 2013, at The Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth.
Virginia was born June 14, 1921, at Sarben, NE to Daniel Merril and Mary Florence Wever Carns. When she was three the family moved to North Platte. Virginia graduated from North Platte High School in 1939. After graduation she attended business college in North Platte and worked for Barkalow Brothers tobacco and magazine shops at the Union Pacific Depot and the Pawnee Hotel. During WW II she worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a crew dispatcher.
On June 1, 1941, Virginia married Harry Frank Woods in North Platte. They had two daughters, Harriette and Deborah. Virginia worked as a bookkeeper for Dr. Heider for a few years and then was a “local” telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in the days before dial-up telephones. She was a manager and sales lady for Tupperware Home Products. For the next two years she worked as a bookkeeper for J & L Drug. In the 1960’s Harry and Virginia owned and operated two small markets, Woods Market on West 5th Street and Modern Market on Jeffers Street. She then retired to take care of her mother, Mary Carns.
Virginia was a member of the First United Methodist Church for over 70 years. She was very active with the youth in North Platte, serving as President of Cody School PTA, was a life member of Girl Scouts where she served as leader and was Guiding Star Girl Scout Council President and Board Member. She was guardian of Job’s Daughters and past member of Signet Chapter #55 Order of Eastern Star. Virginia also loved cats and took in many strays.
Virginia is survived by her daughters, Harriette Luttrell (partner, Edward Ritner), of Sunrise Beach, MO, and Deborah (Terry) Wingett, of North Platte; four grandchildren, Ellen Luttrell Jensen, of Omaha, NE, Emily Luttrell (Danny) Norris, of Charleston, SC, Tate (Kristi) Wingett, of San Antonio, TX, and Tracy Wingett (fiancé, Jeannie Collins), of North Platte; her great-grandchildren, Kylie, Dillion, Trace, Chase and Jason; her nephew, Michael Carns, of Panama City, FL; and other family and friends.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her parents, Dan and Mary Carns; a brother, Vancel Carns; and a son-in-law, Ronald Luttrell.
Graveside funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, September 23, 2013, in the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Guiding Star Girl Scout Council or the Goodfellow’s Shoe Fund. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.