Mary Virginia “Ginny” Moss Burrus, 93, died Feb. 21, 2023, at RidgeView Assisted Living in Burlington, with her daughters by her side.
Ginny was born on July 6, 1929, in Hunnewell, Mo. to Ruth and Everett Moss, the second of six children. She attended Monroe City High School, Class of 1947, where she excelled in music, basketball and cheerleading. After graduation, she moved to Burlington where she worked as a telephone operator at Northwestern Bell. She met David Burrus while on a blind date in 1948, and they married on Aug. 5, 1951. He preceded her in death on Dec. 16, 1994.
Ginny served as head of the Communication Department with the regional office of the American Red Cross from 1952 to 1954, then as hostess for Welcome Wagon from 1955 to 1957. The 50s were an eventful time for Ginny as she gave birth to her three daughters, Alicia Ruth, Alexandra, and Anita Christina. She loved to say to anyone who would listen that raising her children was her greatest accomplishment.
In 1967, she became a salesperson for Sun Life Insurance of Canada, one of Iowa’s few female life insurance sales representatives. In 1970, she moved on to Allied Van Lines, where she became one of three certified female moving consultants within the company at that time. She continued in this position until 1980, when she joined her husband David at the Burrus Company.
Politics were very important to Ginny, and she was a staunch Republican. She made an unsuccessful bid for Iowa State Senate in 1984. However, she did catch the attention of U.S. Representative Jim Leach and was hired to work in his First District office in Burlington. When the districts were redrawn, she moved to Iowa City and continued to work for Congressman Leach until she retired in 2001. Jim Leach stood before the U.S. Congress commending Ginny and her work for the people of the First District of Iowa.
Ginny loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. She sang in Bel Canto Chorale and the choir of First Congregational Church, where she was a member. As a greeter on the Delta Queen, she would sing “In Dear Old Burlington” for the riverboat tourists. She also once had a solo performance at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City.
Ginny belonged to many organizations, including Burlington Area Arts Council, where she was a founding member, Civic Music, Burlington Fine Arts League, and Burlington Golf Club. She loved cooking, golfing, playing bridge, and entertaining. Among the many parties she and David hosted, their annual Christmas Eve open house became a great tradition.
She is survived by her daughters, Alicia Burrus (James Holschuh) of Englewood, Co. and Alexandra Burrus (Douglas Abel) of Burlington; grandchildren, Kehr (Mallory) Schulz of Houston, Texas and Hannah (Jacob) Weaver of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren, Calla Weaver, Samuel Weaver, and Milo Schulz; son-in-law, Christopher Schulz of Corpus Christi, Texas; brothers, William Moss and Porter Moss of Hunnewell, Mo.; and seven nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, Ginny was preceded in death by her daughter Anita Schulz, her parents, a brother, Philip Moss, two sisters, Ruth Anne Corwin and Melissa McEwen, and nephew, Jason Corwin.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The funeral service for Mrs. Burrus will be 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street with Pastor Jim Francisco officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Memorials have been established for the First Congregational Church and the Burlington Civic Music Association.
The family wishes to thank the dedicated caregivers at RidgeView Assisted Living.