Virginia Thorstad passed away in her sleep early Tuesday morning, May 2nd, 2006. She had been battling double pneumonia which took her life. She was 85 years of age.
Virginia Lee was born in Renwick, IA on July 18, 1920 to the prominent farm family of William and Tressa (Brink) Lee. The Lees then moves to Alberta, MN where Virginia went to school in a one room school house. She graduated from Alberta High School in 1939 and attended Moorhead State Teachers College for two years. She married Lloyd Williamson on Dec. 7, 1941. Three children were born to this union, Marianne in 1943, Frances in 1946 and Vivian in 1948. During the WWII years Virginia worked at the Morris rations office
In 1952 she married Harry Thorstad of Starbuck. One child was born of this union in 1953, Ivalou. The Thorstad family made their home in Starbuck where Virginia worked as a telephone operator for many years. In 1967 Harry, Virginia and Ivalou moved to St. Paul where they lived until 1971. They then moved to Big Lake for a few years before retiring and taking up residence in her parent's home in Morris after their deaths in 1964 and 1980. Upon Harry's death in May 1987, Virginia moved to a senior apartment complex in Morris where she lived until a bout of diabetes caused her to move where she could get more care. In 1996, she moved to the Roseville Good Samaritan center.
Virginia had been a member and sang in the choirs of First Lutheran Church of Morris, Minnewaska Lutheran Church of Starbuck, East Emanuel Lutheran Church of St Paul and Saron Lutheran Church of Big Lake. For many years she was a member of the Ladies Aid of Minnewaska Church and sang many solos there. She was a past worthy matron of the Morris chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. She was also a member of the Sons of Norway, Glenwood Lodge,
Virginia is preceded in death by her parents William and Tressa Lee, one brother Quincy "Maynard" Lee and one grandson, William Anderson. She is survived by one sister, Wilma Josephine "Billie Jo" Olson of Sun City Center, FL, four daughters, Marianne (Alan) Anderson of Vadnais Heights, MN, Francis Muir of Merced CA, Vivian (Kenneth) Nordaune of Sterling Heights, MI and Ivalou Moll of Woodbridge VA. She has nine grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers are Virginia's grandsons: Scott Moll, Andrew Moll and Christopher Moll. Deb Mahoney will serve as organist for the service. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.