Virginia G. Nelson

Virginia G. Nelson, 95, passed away on January 27 at her home in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 31 at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Avenue, St. Joseph. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery. Visitation is set from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before the service. Memorials can be made to Peace Lutheran Church, where she was a charter member, or to Hospice at Home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Virginia’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Virginia was born in St. Joseph on May 25, 1917 to Reinhold & Ida (Kasischke) Ladwig. After graduating from St. Joseph High School in 1935, Ginny married her high school sweetheart, Einar Nelson. They were married for 70 years before his death in 2008. Before her retirement in 1982, Virginia helped establish and served as the initial manager of Lakeland Hospital’s first coffee shop, The Lantern. Prior to that position, she worked for many years as the head cook at Trinity Lutheran School. After retiring, she busied herself with reading, volunteering, traveling, completing crossword puzzles and spending time with family & friends. Family gatherings at Grandma’s house always meant plenty of fabulous food. Mrs. Nelson is survived by her three sons, David (Dr. Roberta) Nelson of Chicago, IL; Dr. Daniel (Judy) Nelson of Harrison, MI and Thomas (Dr. Prudy Barrett) Nelson of Baroda as well as 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Her family was the pride and joy of her life. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son Philip; infant daughter Paula; brothers Ervin, Elmer, George (Tom) and Gerald Ladwig as well as sisters Bea Puterbaugh, Leona Berkholz & Mabel Ladwig and her parents. She was the last surviving member of her extended family’s generation to go Home to Heaven. Ginny will be sadly missed by her family & friends. But they find comfort in knowing that she is celebrating as she is reunited with all the family that were waiting to welcome her to her eternal home with the Lord.