Larson, Virginia Lee On April 14th, Virginia Lee (Ginny) Larson "slipped the surly bonds of earth to dance the skies on laughter silvered wings" after bravely fighting a rare form of lymphoma. She died peacefully at home with her beloved wife Mary Lou Hoff by her side.

Born to Edwina (Hare) and J. Leonard Larson in 1941, Ginny and her brother Jay were raised in a home that celebrated the laughter, music and Swedish heritage that would shape Ginny's life.

After graduating from St. Louis Park High in 1959, Ginny would attend Gustavus Adolphus College where she would study Education and prepare for a lifetime of teaching. Ginny's Gustie roots ran deep, and she developed many lifelong friendships during her time there. An active member of the alumni association, she helped organize memorable reunions. A highlight of her college years was being chosen by her peers to serve as the Lucia Queen, honoring the Swedish Christmas tradition where a candle wreathed St. Lucia visits to bring hope and light during the darkest time of the year. And Ginny continued to bring light to the world throughout her lifetime.

Ginny's interest in seeing the world developed early. After a year of teaching, she took time off and embarked on a nearly yearlong adventure across the pond. She bought a brand new VW Beetle in Germany, traveling extensively throughout Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. She loved learning from the people and cultures she experienced which in turn gave her a global outlook that would serve her well during the years and adventures to come.

Ginny settled in St Louis Park and started a family with her first spouse (David). Their two sons, Steven and Michael, would inherit her sense of humor and her love of music. She raised her boys with kindness and patience (which they certainly tested over the years, sorry mom!).

In 1980, the travel bug bit again, and Ginny's family headed to Asia where Ginny helped found a school for 800 K-12 children confined to a Hong Kong transit camp for Vietnamese refugees. This experience had a profound influence on her life, her teaching, and her ability to connect with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Returning to Minnesota after four years abroad, Ginny was hired by Minneapolis Public Schools to teach elementary students at Jefferson and Fulton Schools until her retirement in 2001. During this time, Ginny earned her Masters Degree in psychology from the Adler Institute. An exceptional and beloved teacher, she believed in making learning fun, interesting, and active. Her classroom was a place that valued respect, inclusion, cooperation, caring, and affirmation. Ginny's understanding of how students learn made her an adaptable teacher who could bring out the best in her kids. Many of her students stayed in touch for decades after graduation, writing or visiting to share news of their lives, their careers and their families.

While teaching at Fulton Elementary during the 1990s, Ginny met Mary Lou, her soulmate and the love of her life. Bonding quickly and firmly over shared values and interests, their love and devotion was evident to all who knew them. They were finally able to formalize their commitment when gay marriage became legal in 2013. Together, Ginny and Mary Lou shared 27 years of love, joy, laughter, and gratitude. They traveled the world with friends old and new, relaxed at their cabin on Superior's North Shore, raised their cherished Bichons, and spent time with their precious grandchildren.

Ginny and Mary Lou were active in their church, forging many important and enduring friendships (Hey "Church Ladies"!) first at St. Paul Reformation Lutheran, then at St Luke Presbyterian in Minnetonka where Ginny sat on committees, sang in the choir and folk group, and was a member of the Befriender Ministry.

The importance of music in Ginny's life can't be overstated. With the voice of an angel, her love of music found her singing in choirs, women's groups and folk groups at an early age. She'll always be remembered with her guitar in her hand, leading people in song. Even as she neared the end of her life, she could make her hospice nurses laugh with a perfectly chosen song for any situation.

Ginny was a born optimist with a disarming wit, a loyal friend, and a wise counselor. She had an ability to connect with people and a positive attitude that was contagious. Never afraid to speak out against injustice, Ginny was a passionate and unapologetic feminist, women's rights activist and fierce champion of equality and fairness.

Ginny's family would like to thank all the medical personnel who helped us over the past year. Allina physicians, nurses, home health care staff and Hospice teams, Abbott NW Hospital, MN Oncology and Mayo Clinic doctors and staff treated Ginny and her family with the utmost respect and compassion. We shall be forever grateful.

Ginny was quite simply, unforgettable, living life to the fullest with exuberance and gratitude, and while she will be missed greatly, her spirit will live on in the hearts and lives of those who knew and loved her.

Preceded in death by parents, Edwina and Leonard, and brother Jay. Ginny is survived by her beloved wife Mary Lou Hoff, children Michael (Sarah) and Steven (Heather) Jones, her grandchildren Annabelle and Robert Jones, her sister-in-law Renee, niece and nephew Leah and Ben Larson, and so very, very many dear friends and extended family.

There will be a Service of Celebration for Ginny on June 15, at St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Minnetonka with visitation at 12:00 and service at 1:00 with a light lunch to follow. Donations or memorials can be made to Gustavus College Class of '63 Scholarship Fund, St. Luke Presbyterian Church or donor's choice.

Published on May 5, 2024