Virginia Rist, age 95, of Huron, died Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Her funeral service was held at 11 AM Monday, July 10, 2017, at the American Lutheran Church. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Her family prefers memorials be madeto the American Lutheran Church.
Virginia Wilson was born February 24, 1922, to Andrew J. and Mina (Roalstad) Wilson at Hayti. Virginia grew up on a farm around Hayti and also in Hayti across from their church. Virginia always loved school. She especially enjoyed music and had a beautiful singing voice. She graduated from Hayti High School. In 1943, Virginia graduated from South Dakota State University with a history major, a music minor, her teaching credentials and a BA degree.
On June 5, 1943, she married Paul R. Rist at Hayti. After they were married, they were stationed in Oklahoma and Missouri at army bases. Paul was getting training to go overseas to fight in World War II. In September 1944 he was able to see his daughter Mary before he went to Europe. Mary was born on September 8th and the doctor insisted Paul was not to leave until she was born and he could see and hold his daughter. When Paul returned from the war they lived on a farm around Centerville and they had three more children - Susan, Cathy and Andy. When Paul decided to go back to civil engineering the family moved to Sioux Falls, Beresford, Lake Andes and then to Huron in 1966.
Virginia was an active member of the Lutheran Church all of her life. She was a member of American Lutheran Church in Huron for 51 years. Virginia was also a member of the church circles, Federated Music Study Club, Toastmistress, League of Women Voters and NARFE. For the last five years Virginia had lived at the Violet Tschetter Memorial Home where she had wonderful and loving care.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Mary (Marty) Bolger of Newbury Park, California, Susan Jennerjahn and Cathy Rist of Huron, and Andy Rist of Meriden, Iowa; her grandchildren, Melinda, Mard, Med and Sarah; her great-grandchildren, Blake, Haven and Jack; a nephew, David (Sharon) of Pipestone, Minnesota; a niece, Carol (Steve) Roverud of Missouri City, Texas; her sisters-in-law, Mary of Viborg, South Dakota and her family, and Arlene of Minnesota and her family; and nephews, Mark Manley of Bakersfield, California and David Rist of Phoenix, Arizona.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Paul in July 1992; her sisters, Agnes and Vera Ann and their husbands Tryg and Irwin; her brothers-in-law, Cliff, Vic, Marty and Don; her sisters-in-law, Mildred and Esther; and her nephews, Boyd and Dan.