Join us in celebrating the life of Virginia Bogenschutz. She was best known to those who knew her as “Ginny”. Virginia passed away Friday evening the 26th of June. Though she battled cancer and health issues the last few years she continued to reside in her home of 58 years right to her very last day. She was 83 years.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the Bonnerup Funeral Home, 2210 East Main, Albert Lea. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Salem Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Jay Dahlvang will officiate and interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. After Virginia is laid to rest, family and friends are invited back to Salem Lutheran Church to continue her remembrance and enjoy lunch together.
Virginia Mae was the eldest child of Frank and Jessie Blaser. She was born on Nov. 11, 1923, in Mankato, and was a lifelong resident of Minnesota. Her only sibling Frank Jr., her mother and father preceded her in death, as did Edwin her husband of 59 years.
Virginia and Edwin Bogenschutz were married in Salem Lutheran Church Nov. 2, 1946. Together they had five children. They all survive her: LeAnn Fritsche and Sharee Bogenschutz of Albert Lea, Tim (Nancy) Bogenschutz of Brainerd, Daniel Bogenschutz of Owatonna and Arnold (Valerie) Bogenschutz of Mankato. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Through her life Virginia worked and excelled as a housewife and mother. She was involved in many organizations and very active in the church. She was an accomplished artist: drawing, painting, and doing various needle point and fancy work. For years Virginia was self employed and worked out of her home as a seamstress. Together with Edwin they enjoyed a long retirement including traveling to army reunions, investigating genealogy, and most of all enjoying their family.
Like many from the depression generation she started life with very little, especially after losing her father at 13 years old. Because of those humble beginnings she never was a complainer, always appreciated the little things and thrived to better herself by learning new things. Mom, Grandma, Ginny, the Matriarch of the family, taught us all by using these strengths. She was our inspiration to her last day when she looked death in the eye and didn’t blink. She taught us our final lessons, how to grow old gracefully and come to the end of life with dignity.