Virginia Lee Barnard Koss

Virginia L Koss, 97, died on November 3, 2020 from natural causes of Parkinson's Disease with complications during the recent Covid-19 epidemic. She resided at Hi Line Retirement Center for almost a year, where caring staff saw to all of her physical needs. She had been isolated from family for way too long.

Virginia was born July 3, 1923 in Glasgow MT to William Alexander Barnard and Lucy Holland (Watson) Barnard. She was brought up on Telegraph Creek south of Malta with her brother, Gene, and sister, Billie Lou. She attended Telegraph Creek School and graduated in seven years, Malta High School and graduated at 16 and was encouraged by her mother to teach the kids at Telegraph Creek School for a short time. But, she wanted to go to college and was encouraged by her Dad to attend Montana State University, Bozeman, where she graduated with a PE Major and English Minor. On March 25, 1944, with the signature of her father, she enlisted in the United States Navy. She entered active service on June 29, 1944 and attended USN Training School in Bronx, NY and USN Hospital Corps School in Bethesda, MD followed by Bainbridge, MD at the US Naval Hospital where she eventually attained the rank of Pharmacist's Mate Second Class doing Lab work and Occupational Therapy instruction. On May 7, 1946 she was honorably discharged and was entitled to wear the American Campaign Ribbon and World War II Victory Medal. Her Navy uniform is at the Phillips County Museum.

She taught English in Moore, MT and later in Malta MT. She was a substitute teacher in the Malta School system until her children graduated.

She married Adam G Koss on November 13, 1948 in the Little White Church of Malta. They happily ranched together and raised their family near the Larb Hills south of Malta. Their five children include sons, John Koss (Suzanne) of Malta, William "Bill" Koss (Sallie) of Roundup and Lee Koss (Maxine) of Kentucky; daughters, Virginia Roberts of Wyoming and Kathleen Pruiett (Brian) of Washington. Their 14 grand children and over 20 great grandchildren are scattered around the Continental US, Alaska and New Zealand. They had been married just short of 66 years when Adam passed away in 2014.

Besides being a Teacher, Wife and Mother, she enjoyed helping with the cattle and the haying process. She loved to sew and to garden, canning and preserving fruits and vegetables. She picked wild berries for jellies and jams. She was an avid bird watcher and could kill a rattle snake swiftly with her garden hoe. She had a special fondness for most music. She especially loved to hear her children and grandkids perform. She made time for the Paul Harvey radio show, hunting for arrowheads and fossils, reading poetry and autobiographies, and the nightly weather report. Virginia was a 4-H member as a child and a 4-H Leader and Council member for over 40 years at both the Phillips County and the State of Montana level. She was a Brownie/Girl Scout Leader and a member of Eastern Star. She was involved in Politics and cast one of the Electoral College votes in Montana for a past President.

They moved into Malta after the ranching became too much for them...they continued to return to the ranch even in the bad weather to check on things. Adam and Virginia enjoyed being in Malta. They received excellent care from Jo Murphy, Home Health and niece, Jeanne Engebretson. They moved into HLRC when Adam's health deteriorated and he needed more care. After Adam passed away in 2014, Virginia moved to Kentucky with Lee and Maxine where she enjoyed the family's care, the green grass and birds.

She is survived by her five children, grandchildren Alex, Stephanie, Crystal, Levi, Eddy, Ellee, Alleena, Sebrina, Adam, Lucinda, Sally, Wilson, Jonathan and over 20 great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her parents, a daughter-in-law, Barb, her brother, her husband, a great-grand daughter, Edith, a grandson, Zach, and a niece, Jeanne.

Memorials may be sent to the local 4-H Council or the local American Legion.

Virginia's body will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a future date.