Virgel Alice Holst

Virgel Alice Holst Virgel "Virgie" Alice Holst died Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at Thorne Crest Retirement Center at the age of 92. A celebration of Virgie's life will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Virgie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Virgie was born April 12, 1918 in Hankinson, North Dakota to Ashley and Isabel Johnson Ingerson. Virgie was one of five children. Living is Marilyn Gordon Allen of Morris. Deceased are twin brother, Vincent; Ione and Mildred. She graduated from Hankinson High School in 1936 and thereafter she attended cosmetology school in Fargo, North Dakota. After working a few years as a beautician, she married Elmer Holst. They were united on a Sunday afternoon on June 21, 1942 in the home of Virgie's parents at Browns Valley, MN. They became parents to Chuck Linda Campbell, St. Paul; Dave, Lakeville; Don Linda, Albert Lea and Lee Terri, Albert Lea. Elmer worked for Land 'O Lakes, which brought the family to Albert Lea in 1955. During Virgie's 24 married years, she raised her sons and provided a home filled with love. Virgie was given the extraordinary task of being a single parent when Elmer died suddenly on January 31, 1966. She remained a homemaker, but later found work at Northside School and Cornick's Nursing Home. Virgie was a perfectionist in sewing, handiwork, flower gardening, crossword puzzles and baking apple pies. She started a family tradition of "mom's turkey" at holidays. She could fix anything with little of nothing. Virgie enjoyed the outdoors; camping with her family, the birds in her backyard, working the earth with her hands and walking. Visits from her family brought great joy to her life. Virgie loved her grandchildren: Dan, Travis, Nathan, Quentin, Nicole deceased and Sean deceased and great-grandchildren: Isaiah and Cameron. Virgie will forever be in our hearts. Her smile and wit will stay with us forever.