Virginia Slimmer

Virginia M. Slimmer, age 87 of Burtrum, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at her home in Burtrum, Minnesota.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 11 at Faith Community Church in Burtrum with Rev. David Sobotka officiating. Interment will be in Moses Dane Cemetery in Burtrum.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 12 to 1 p.m. Friday at the church in Burtrum.

Virginia Mae Richardson was born September 10, 1928 in Pillsbury, Todd County, Minnesota to Edward and Blanche (Hosford) Richardson. Virginia's parents lived in Burtrum. As a child, after her father passed away, Virginia lived with Bill and Hazel Richardson. Bill and Hazel would be known to Virginia's children as Uncle Bill and Grandma Hazel. Bill and Hazel's daughter, RuthAnn, is like a sister to Virginia and her children.

She was united in marriage to Harry Slimmer on December 3, 1949 in Minneapolis. Virginia and Harry lived in Minneapolis when they were first married and Harry was in the military. Harry returned from his service in the military and they bought a home in Bloomington. During that time, Virginia worked as a baker where she learned the skill of frosting three dozen cupcakes in less time than most can frost two cupcakes. She could turn a lemon cupcake into a powdery butterfly. She also worked at Control Data and Anchor Glass Company in Shakopee. In 1970, Virginia and Harry moved their family to Burtrum.

Virginia attended Faith Community Church in Burtrum. She was in the Women's Relief Corps, Ladies Auxiliary and served as Secretary of Moses Dane Cemetery in Burtrum.

Virginia's children and grandchildren were most important in her life. After raising her own children, she enjoyed raising her grandchildren. Her grandson, Joe, moved in with her at a young age and she became "Mom" to him. Being a homemaker was Virginia's favorite role. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning and baking. Nobody walked away from Virginia's home hungry. She was a natural caregiver.

We should list the birds of Todd County as surviving family members. They provided hours of enjoyment every day, while the squirrels provided a huge source of aggravation.

Survivors include her children, Brenda (Wayne) Korman of Rice, Danny (Diane) Slimmer of Rice, Lori (Loren) Rahn of Burtrum, and Kimberly (Dale) Spiczka of Burtrum; seven grandchildren, Melissa (Brian) Tenvoorde, Steven (Karen Larson) Slimmer, Joe (Beth) Rahn, Joshua Rahn, Jake (Beth) Rahn, Ronnie Spiczka, and Derek Spiczka; seven great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Cole Tenvoorde, William, Bennett, and Luke Rahn, MaraLyn Larson, and Adelyn Slimmer; sisters, Irene (Richard) Brown of Alaska and RuthAnn (Romie) Gessell of Burtrum; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Slimmer on October 5, 1998; parents; brothers, Virgil Richardson and an infant brother; and sister, Violet Larsen.

Serving as casket bearers will be her grandchildren, Melissa Tenvoorde, Steven Slimmer, Joe Rahn, Joshua Rahn, Jake Rahn, Ronnie Spiczka and Derek Spiczka.