Virginia "Ginny" Karns

Virginia “Ginny” Karns, 84, of New Providence, Iowa, formerly of St. Anthony, passed away Monday, October 31, 2022.

Per the wishes of Ginny and her family, cremation rites have been accorded and a private graveside service will take place. A family-led celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for later designation. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care and arrangements for the family. For online condolences or more information, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Born Virginia Marie Cochran on February 1, 1938 in Marshalltown, she was the daughter of Clifford and Hazel (Roseburrough) Cochran. She graduated from Clemons High School with the class of 1955. On November 17, 1956 she was united in marriage to Larry Karns. Together, they made their home in St. Anthony, Iowa, where they raised their children and owned and operated Larry and Ginny’s Bar and Restaurant. In her early years, she enjoyed bowling, playing pool and kept busy with caring for her family. Ginny also worked at Marshalltown Manufacturing, a nursing home in State Center and before retiring, she cleaned houses. They were married 57 years before his passing.

She relocated to New Providence, where she was blessed to share the last several years of her life with her special friend, Steve Welch. In her free time, she enjoyed watching hummingbirds, spending time in her garden and a nice cold one. Fall was her favorite time of year and she loved taking rides to look at the leaves. Ginny was an avid Chicago Cub’s baseball and Iowa Hawkeye’s basketball fan. More than anything, she loved her family and will be deeply missed by all those who loved her.

Left to cherish her memory is her special friend, Steve Welch of New Providence, IA; her two sons: James (Bev) Karns of Red Oak, IA and Bradley (LeighAnn) Karns of Garwin, IA; grandchildren: Cody Franson, Krysti Krull, Jennifer Karns and Stephanie Welch; great-grandchildren: Cooper and Kendall Franson, Caden Karns, Mattox and Jasper Krull and Phoenix and Jordan Welch; her siblings: Jeannette Eggers, Catherine Klaas, Robert Cochran and Martha Youngman; several nieces and nephews and friends.

Ginny is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her parents, Clifford and Hazel Cochran and three siblings: Johnny Cochran, Betty Cochran-Stone and Dorothy Cochran.