Virtus Wilslef

Virtus Lloyd Wilslef was truly a master of all trades. At the age of 99, Virtus entered into eternity Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the Maquoketa Care Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Preston, Iowa. Burial will take place in Preston Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
Virtus was born September 2, 1915 on the family farm rural Preston, the son of Nicolai F. and Margaritha C. (Schroeder) Wilslef. He attended Preston High School and graduated with the Class of 1933. On April 3, 1936 Virtus married the love of his life Al Jean J. Lingle in Dubuque, Iowa. Al Jean passed away February 23, 2006.
Virtus farmed for thirty years in the Preston area. He later opened up a small engine repair shop in Preston and became a substitute rural mail carrier. Virtus always kept active learning new things. He was an amazing artist, writer and poet. He even went as far as making his own books. He enjoyed music with friends and family, he played the violin, harmonica, button accordion and the banjo. Virtus also made violins for family members. Virtus was a life long member of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Preston.
Virtus will be dearly missed by his children, Dolores (Charles) Reistroffer of Maquoketa, Robert (Mary Ann) Wilslef of Ozark, Missouri, Cindy Lou Iversen of Parkview, Iowa; eight grandchildren; many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Virtus is preceded in death by his wife, parents, four brothers and three sisters.