Virginia Gessner

Virginia (Ginny) Gessner, nee Peterson, of Richfield passed away Friday, November 13, 2020 at Martin Luther Manor in Bloomington at the age of 96.

Virginia was born June 10, 1924 to Ludwig and Anna (Lund) Peterson in Harris, Minnesota, one of the youngest of 11 children.  She attended Rush City High School and after graduating, moved to Minneapolis to work and attend secretarial school.  She later moved to Richfield, Minnesota where she lived for many years. 

Ginny was a highly respected executive administrative assistant at Norwest/Wells Fargo Bank for 35 years, retiring in 1990.  She also worked part-time at JCPenney in Southdale and continued to work there until she was almost 80 years old.  Before and after she retired, she was an active member of the Twin Cities Secretarial Association, the Christian Women’s Club and Richfield Lutheran Church.  She also volunteered regularly with AARP and enjoyed meeting and helping people at their events.

Ginny loved dancing and as a young adult, returned to Rush City as often as possible with her sister, Dorothy, for Saturday night old-time dancing at the Eagles Hall.  That love of dancing and being active stayed with her and served her well far into her retirement years.  In spite of often proudly declaring herself a “stubborn Swede” who delighted in being feisty and independent, she was a well-loved part of the Gessner/Peterson families, and in turn dearly loved all of her family members, no matter where they were or how often she was able to be with them.  She took an active part in family get-togethers and celebrations, where she was always welcomed for her ready smile, her laughter and her big hugs.  And she was always there to help out when one of her siblings or other family members needed her.  In fact, she was well known among some of the Peterson nieces and nephews as being the very best “aunt/sister/mom” they could possibly have – she did such a good job filling all those roles as times and circumstances changed for each of them over the years.

Virginia is survived by her son Larry Gessner of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandson Arien Gessner (Erin); granddaughters Nikelle Garcia (David), Samantha Gessner; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lawrence Gessner; siblings Lawrence Peterson, Pearl Sybrant, Esther Freeberg, Elsie Wredberg, Clifford Peterson, Gladys Carlson, Clarence Peterson, Myrtle Ward, Eunice Trulson, Dorothy Holmes (DOD 9/12/2021) and their spouses. 

Reverend Dr. Vicki VanderVegt and Vicar Devin Ames will officiate at funeral services for Virginia: 10:30 AM; Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the First Lutheran Church in Harris.  A gathering of family and friends is planned for one hour prior to the service at the church.  The interment will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, Harris.  

If you choose, you may donate in Virginia’s name to the charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com