Virginia (Newman) Harmon Philipsen

Virginia (Newman) Harmon Philipsen, 94, passed away on April 9, 2026, at Addington Place in Des Moines.

Virginia was born on February 27, 1932, in Laverne, Oklahoma, to Ralph and Lillie Newman. At the age of two, her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, traveling in a Whippet (Willys) car. She grew up on the south side in a home built by her father. In 1950, she graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School.

On June 22, 1952, Virginia married Robert (“Bob”) Harmon, and together they had two children, Debra and David. After 36 years of marriage, Bob passed away in 1988. A few years later, Virginia reconnected with a former family friend, Donald (“Don”) Philipsen, through their shared church. On February 29, 1992—a leap year—Virginia and Don were married at Grace Baptist Church. After 23 years of marriage, Don passed away in 2015.

Virginia later moved to the Cottages of Pleasant Hill, where she resided for eight years. In December 2023, she moved to Addington Place on the south side of Des Moines.

Virginia enjoyed raising her two children and was active in many ways throughout her life. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, bowled with Bob in a mixed twilight league at Bowl-A-Rama for several years, and had a deep love of flowers and all things butterflies. Later in life, she enjoyed ballroom dancing with Don and often visited places such as the Val Air Ballroom, Prairie Meadows, and Lake Robbins. Together, they traveled internationally to Australia, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. They also enjoyed working part-time jobs together, especially as Santa’s elves at Southridge Mall for many years.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and her siblings.

She is survived by her children, Deb (Larry) and David (Jane); five stepchildren; numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 7601 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa. Burial will follow in the adjacent Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. The family would also like to thank the staff and residents of Addington Place, along with the compassionate care provided by Wesley Life Hospice, who became a part of Virginia’s family.