Lenna Virginia Krumrey

Lenna Virginia Krumrey

August 19, 1923 — April 29, 2024

Breese, Illinois

Lenna Virginia Krumrey (nee Myers), affectionately known as Virginia or "Ginny" to friends and loved ones, passed away on April 29, 2024, at Cedarhurst of Breese. Born on August 19, 1923, in Centerburg, Ohio, Virginia’s  remarkable life spanned a century. After high school, during World War II, she left Ohio for Washington, D.C., to start her career at the FBI in the new technology of fingerprinting. While at the Bureau, she met her future husband, Irving Krumrey. When she walked past his desk, he told his friend, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” After the war, they raised four children in Libertyville, Illinois. In retirement, “Irv and Ginny” enjoyed a blissful thirty-six years in Heber Springs, Arkansas. In 2010, they moved to Clinton County, Illinois, to be near their son, Jim, and daughter-in-law, Sandy. Irv died in 2019 at the age of 98. Jim, Sandy, and their family cared for Virginia thereafter, surrounding her with love.

Although she never attended college, Virginia was always drawn to literature, especially poetry. She instilled this love in her children, teaching them the poems she had learned by heart as a child, and avidly reading and discussing the books they brought home. Her artistic talents found expression in sewing, gardening, and ultimately quilting, all self-taught. She became a highly sought-after seamstress and tailor in her community, and garnered blue ribbons and “best in show” at both county and state levels for her intricate hand-stitched quilts.  

 Throughout her life, Virginia’s open, cheerful personality and great sense of humor drew people to her wherever she lived. A deep moral sense imbued her kindness and generosity. She delighted in Christian goodness, the beauty in life and nature, and simple pleasures. Few loved a ripe peach like Virginia did; even fewer could grow a peach tree, or make a peach pie, as well as she could. When Virginia lost her hearing in 2015, she valiantly maintained her warmth and sociability, loyal to and beloved by many friends. To her husband, children, and grandchildren she was and will always be the heart and soul of the family. In 2023, her large family came from across the country to celebrate and honor her on her 100th birthday.
 
 Lenna Virginia Krumrey was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-four years, Irving Krumrey, and her oldest daughter, Patricia Krumrey of Austin, Texas. She is survived by her children, James Krumrey (Sandy) of Bartelso, Illinois; Diane Krumrey (Eric Lubell) of Hopewell, New Jersey; and Rev. Debra Meuter (Fred) of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren (Kathy, Beth, Ami, Josef, Jamie, Chloë, April, Claire, and David) and ten great-grandchildren, who meant the world to her.
 
 Lenna Virginia Krumrey will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched. Her warmth and creativity will live on in the hearts of those she nurtured.
 
 A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 pm on May 24 at Cedarhurst of Breese.