Virginia Josephine Blexrud, age 93, of Spring Grove, passed away December 25, 2021, at Spring Grove Assisted Living .
She was born July 27, 1928, at home in Hesper Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, to James and Ellen (Brenna) Smalley. She was baptized on September 9, 1928, and confirmed on June 7, 1942, at Mabel First Lutheran Church by Rev. Ivar Havneros.
She graduated on May 29, 1947, from Mabel High School, where she was the salutatorian. Later she worked as a legal secretary.
On November 6, 1948, she married Charles Blexrud at Mabel First Lutheran; the Rev. Phillip C. Hiller officiated. The couple farmed outside of Spring Grove for many years, where Virginia was a very active farm wife, helping with every aspect of farming, and bringing lunch to Charlie when he was in the field. She and Charles were a team in everything they did, from raising their two girls, to making lefse.
Virginia was a wonderful mother, making sure that her children attended church, Sunday school and confirmation, and later seeing the world, with her husband, by visiting their daughters and staying involved in their lives. She was very involved in the community as a 4-H leader, a PTA secretary for two years and an officer for the T.L.C.W., and altar guild at her church.
Virginia loved birthday parties; she would have the neighborhood ladies for her birthday during the day, and then clean up everything and have fellow farmers and their wives in the evening.
Charles passed away on June 4, 2005; later Virginia moved into Spring Grove.
Virginia is survived by her daughters Charlene (Gordon) Rostvold of Porter, Tex., and Nancy (Michael) Gulbranson of Spring Grove; grandchildren Amy (Troy) Ahrens, Emily (David) Ahlquist, Erik (Brett) Gulbranson and Jakob Gulbranson; and great-grandchildren Abigail Ahrens, Carly Ahrens, Sabra, Tressa and Dax Ahlquist, and Brailyn, Leum, and Taye Gulbranson.
In addition to her parents and husband Charles, she was preceded in death by twin brother and sister Loren and Sylvia, in infancy; and brother Julian Smalley.
There will be a visitation from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, December 30 at Trinity Lutheran Church followed by a private family service and interment at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be given to Trinity Lutehran Church in Spring Grove.
Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.