02/01/2008
Virginia June (Hayes) Fast was born on June 24, 1921, in Knoxville, Iowa the daughter of Ralph and Beulah (Jones) Hayes. She was raised in Knoxville and
graduated with the Class of 1940. During high school, Virginia played basketball and was voted “Most Ideal Girl” for leadership, service, scholarship and character. She was employed by Avery’s Hardware for two years following graduation.
On June 1, 1941, Virginia was united in marriage to Edward Van Fast at the Presbyterian parsonage in Knoxville. To this union two sons, Richard and Robert were born.
Van owned and operated Fast’s Welding and Virginia kept the books for the business. She also had a tea room and a catering business for several years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church since the age of 16.
She was also a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Chapters, of which she had held the offices of president, recording
secretary, and corresponding secretary. In her spare time, Virginia enjoyed flower gardening.
Virginia passed away on Friday, February 1, 2008, at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital, at the age of 86 years, 7 months, and 8 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Captain Robert R. Hayes, and her husband, Edward Van Fast.
Those left to honor her memory include two sons, Richard W. Fast, and his wife, Dian of Mission, Texas, and Robert D. Fast and wife Lila of Knoxville; 5 grandchildren: Thomas Fast of Iowa City, Amy Fast Grozier of Scituate, Massachusetts, John Fast of Torrance, California, Mary Sorkin of Lakewood, Colorado, and David Edward Fast of Des Moines and three step-grandchildren: Kimberly Dawald of Olathe, Kansas, Christopher Nicoson of Florida and Roger Ites of Omaha, Nebraska.
Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren: Anna and Graham Dawald of Olathe, Kansas, Samuel, Hannah, and Ella Fast of Iowa City,
Matthew, Sarah, Rebecca, and James Grozier all of Scituate, Massachusetts and Aileen Yoon and Erin Fast of Torrance, California, and many other family members and friends.
Visitation 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 02/05/2008 Knoxville Bybee & Davis Funeral Home 301 North Second Street Knoxville Iowa 50138. Service 10:30 AM 02/06/2008
Cemetery Graceland Cemetery Memorials Marion County Humane Society First United Methodist Church.