Our Sincere Sympathy to the family of Virginia McGrath
Virginia McGrath, 83, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday April 14, 2019.
Virginia Mae was born on May 9, 1935 to Joseph and Evelyn (Schultz) Thome in Plainview, MN. She was the second of four daughters- the redhead of the bunch. Virginia grew up on a farm outside of Plainview and was lucky enough to be the chosen helper on the farm by her dad. Virginia logged more hours than she'd care to count on a Farmall Model B. Growing up, Virginia loved to take care of and ride her prized horse, Stormy, which she paid for herself. Virginia was born stubborn, once running home from country school because she was bored. She was a graduate of St. Felix of Wabasha class of 1953. On January 11, 1954 she married the love of her life and next door neighbor, Mathew McGrath, in St. Louis, MO. After getting married, Matt and Virginia moved to Denver, Colorado where Matt was a gas station attendant. Unable to find decent work, Matt and Virginia decided to move to northern Minnesota where Matt could find work with the DNR planting trees. However, that morning Matt had been offered a job at the tire factory but the decision to move back to Minnesota was made by flipping a coin. Back in Minnesota, Matt was able to find work at the Flour Mill in Hastings. Virginia was a homemaker on their 80 acre farm in Ravenna Township. After raising five children in a house with no indoor plumbing, Matt and Virginia built a new house on that property in 1961 and had two more children. In 1969 Matt and Virginia entered into the business of raising chickens. Each day for many years, Virginia would pick eggs in a house of 10,000 birds. Later in life, Virginia enjoyed taking day trips throughout southern Minnesota, visiting with family and friends, watching her soap operas, baking, tending gardens, and reading every magazine and cookbook she could get her hands on. Above all, Virginia was a very generous and caring person to many charities and missions.
Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, husband Mathew, daughter Teresa, son-in-law Joe Jilk, and many brothers and sisters in law.
Virginia is survived by her children Cindy (Bruce) Manovich, Jean Jilk, Kevin (Roxanne) McGrath, Joyce (Terry) Siepelmeyer, Tim (Cat) McGrath, and Terry (Brenda) McGrath. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren: Dusty, Weston, Randy, Leah, Shane, Cassie, Shannon, Elizabeth, Alex, Nick, and Sarah, 10 Great-Grandchildren, dozens of nieces and nephews and countless friends and neighbors, and three sisters: Alice Evers, Margaret Sylvester, and Joan Prebe.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Miesville, with Father Terry Beeson officiating. Immediately following the Mass a luncheon will be served at church, and interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Cemetery in Rural Kellogg, MN.
Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the new location of Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion Street, in Hastings, and for one hour prior to the Mass at church on Wednesday morning.
Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
