White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence - Gwendolyn Vernell “Billie” Vargason, 94 years old of Owatonna, Minnesota, and formerly of Independence, IA and McAllen, TX died Thursday, October 16, 2014, at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna.  Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m. – Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at the White Funeral Home, Independence, IA with burial at the Hazleton Cemetery, Hazleton, IA.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.  Memorials will be directed to the charities of which Billie had a passion and interest for.

She was born June 30, 1920, in Black Hawk Township of Grundy County, Iowa, the daughter of William Alvin Hyde and Jennie Margaret (Wignall) Hyde.  She graduated from high school in Independence, IA with the class of 1939.  On August 21, 1946, she was united in marriage to Robert William Vargason in Warren, Illinois.  They made their home in Independence where Billie assisted Bob in the auto repair business (Bob & Don’s Garage).  She later became the Food Service Director at Peoples Memorial Hospital in Independence, a position she held for over 20 years and retired from in 1987.  Bob and Billie eventually moved to McAllen, TX in retirement.  He preceded her in death in on November 7, 1997.  In 2004, Billie moved to Owatonna, MN, where she was able to be closer to family and enjoy time at the lake.

Billie is survived by three sons, Ronald (Mary) Seeley of Roscoe, IL, Robert Jr. “Bill” (Kiyoko) Vargason of Altoona, IA, Randall (Ann) Vargason of Owatonna, MN; one daughter, Nancy (Robert) Richards of Fairbank, IA; 12 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; one sister, Jean Ann Main of Independence, IA; one brother, Robert Hyde of Rainier, Oregon.  In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents, 8 brothers, Dale, Tom, James, Jerry, Lyle, John, Jim, Junior; and 3 sisters, Doris, Mary and Betty.

White Funeral Home, Independence, IA, is in charge of the arrangements.