Virginia M. Anderson, 93, of Blooming Prairie passed away Saturday, April 5, 2014, at Field Crest Care Center in Hayfield. Virginia was born Oct. 5, 1920, in Albert Lea to Viggo and Agnes (Hoffman) Anderson. She grew up in Albert Lea, and in 1935 her family moved to a Newry Township farm southwest of Blooming Prairie. Virginia was united in marriage to Helmer G. Anderson on Oct. 18, 1944, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. They resided in Owatonna and then Bixby, before returning to Blooming Prairie in 1958. Virginia was a homemaker, and over the years worked at various odd jobs in the Blooming Prairie community.

At the center of her life was her devotion to her family and her church, First Lutheran in Blooming Prairie. For many years Virginia oversaw the church’s annual lutefisk dinner and later the dinner’s craft room. She was active in W.E.L.C.A. and her church circle and led the First Lutheran Mission Quilters, making about 6,000 quilts over the years.  Virginia coordinated and made school bags and health kits for Lutheran World Relief outreach, was instrumental in coordinating the Christmas gift boxes for the Marie Sandvick Center in Minneapolis and taught Sunday school for many years. Virginia was known for her baking, especially lefse, and handicrafts; and enjoyed gardening, especially growing yellow tomatoes; music and a good cup of coffee. She loved caring for her special kitties, some of which were part of her life for nearly 20 years. Everyone who entered her home was greeted with a smile, offered something to eat and drink and was given a hug as she said goodbye.

Survivors include her daughter, Sharon (Kenneth) Soost of Wells; her grandchildren, Michael Soost of Janesville and Pamela (Scott) Bruley of Lynd; her great-grandson, Joshua Bruley of Lynd; brothers, George Anderson of San Antonio, Texas and Richard (Judy) Anderson of Eagan; sister, Bonnie (Don) Dinkel of Wasilla, Ala.; many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Helmer on March 6, 1996; and sister, Avis Anderson and sister-in-law, Elaine Anderson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with the Revs. Heidi Heimgartner and Charles Leonard officiating. Interment will follow in the First Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Memorials in Virginia’s memory may be directed to First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. Condolences may be expressed to the family online atwww.worlein.com.