Virginia Joy was a native of Perry, Iowa, born to parents Charles and Lorraine on 12 November 1934.
She married Richard Poffenberger shortly after completing her undergraduate degree.
After her children had graduated from high school, Poffenberger returned to Drake as a student.
She earned a Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in 1978, and began practicing law alongside relatives in Perry.
Poffenberger was a Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives from District 57 between 1979 and 1983.