Virginia Lee Barnes

Virginia L. Barnes, 97, of Grand Island, died on Monday, February 9th, 2026 at Riverside Lodge. Graveside services will be 11 AM, Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Grand Island City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Apfel Funeral Home of Grand Island is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Barnes was born May 2, 1928, at Omaha, Nebraska to Raymond and Alice (Eck) Baker. She attended Tech High School in Omaha and graduated from Austin High School in Chicago, Illinois, in 1945.

She was united in marriage to Earl F. Barnes on September 3, 1949, at Omaha. The couple moved to Grand Island in 1955. They owned and operated Barnes Laundry and Cry Cleaning. In March of 1973, she was employed as a sales person at Kinman Chevrolet (in 1981 bought out by Hamilton Chevrolet-Cadillac). Virginia retired in 2002.

Mrs. Barnes was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish, the Eagles, Liederkranz and the Saddle Club. She enjoyed family, friends, traveling and playing cards.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Rodney S. and Debra Barnes of Grand Island, NE; one daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and Merle Holmes of Grand Island; two grandchildren, Charles and Jenny Barnes of Orinda, CA, Nicole and Greg Winfrey of Cibolu, TX; three great grandsons; and one nephew, Stephen Baker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Barbara Ann and one brother, Col. Wallace Baker.