Virginia Mae Midthun

Virginia Mae Midthun, age 92, passed away on Saturday May 9, 2020.  She had been in hospice care at The Beacon in Lake Crystal and passed away comfortably thanks to the excellent care she received at The Beacon.  A private graveside service will be held at Woodland Hills Memorial Park, Mankato.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Lake Crystal Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.  Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal.

Virginia “Ginny” was born in Rockwell City, IA on May 16, 1927 to Fred and Abbie Yeager.  She was the fourth of eight children.  The family moved to Delavan, MN shortly after Ginny was born and her childhood and school years were spent on the family farm south of Delavan.  She especially liked helping her Dad with farm and field chores.  Given the choice of shocking wheat or baking bread, it was shocking every time.  Although some of her mother’s cooking skills must have rubbed off accidentally because she was an excellent cook herself.  Her boys will attest to that.

She was united in marriage to Marvis J. “Bob” Midthun on October 22, 1947.  They were blessed with 2 sons, Douglas born in 1948 and Kenneth born in 1952.  During their working careers, Bob and Ginny resided in Waterville, MN, Lake Crystal, MN, Albert Lea, MN, and Mankato, MN ultimately retiring in Lake Crystal.  Ginny’s career took many different paths.  Working the corn pack in Waseca, receptionist at doctor’s office, grocery store clerk, bank teller, credit union administrative assistant, and hospital emergency room receptionist.   And first and foremost, mother to Doug and Ken. 

Ginny was a very good athlete.  She spent many hours “playing catch” with the boys in the backyard and one learned quickly not to challenge her to ping-pong because she was virtually unbeatable.  She participated in league bowling for many years in Lake Crystal and played softball in a Mankato league in the early 1950”s.  She was very happy when Title 9 laws were passed that opened up athletics for women.  She did regret that women did not have those opportunities when she was younger.  She was especially proud to be able to attend many Gopher softball games where her granddaughter Stephanie was a 4 year starter.  She was also an avid Lake Crystal “Lakers” fan and subsequently a Wellcome Memorial “Knights” fan and would regularly be in attendance at “ball games”.  Any kind of spectator athletics, it didn’t matter.

Ginny is survived by her 2 sons, Douglas Midthun and Karen Myers of Lake Crystal and Kenneth and Kay Midthun of Lake Crystal.  4 grandchildren, Shelley Midthun and Kevin Grisell of Portland, OR, Matt and Mindy Midthun of Golden, CO, Stephanie Midthun and Eva Rychly  of Shoreview, MN and Peter and Christina Midthun of St. Peter, MN. 3 great-grandchildren, Nora Midthun of Golden,CO and Emma and Logan Midthun of St. Peter, MN.  2 sisters, Sally Yeager of Winnebago, MN and Mary Matteson of Brownfield,TX and many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.