Virginia A. Tise

Virginia A. Tise, lifelong Melrose resident, died peacefully Wednesday morning, September 4, 2024 at age 95 after just a few months at Cura Care Center in Melrose. 

Born April 5th, 1929, she was the only child of Lucille (Bolz) Wampach and George Wampach. Virginia met Clyde Tise, her husband-to-be, after his return from serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Virginia and Clyde were married on Valentine's Day in 1949, settled in Melrose, and eventually raised their two sons—Larry and Karl—there.

A graduate of Melrose High School, Virginia worked at several places in Melrose including Empire Memorials, Zuercher Rexall Drug (later Kuhlmann Drug), and longest at the Melrose Credit Union. Louie Kunkel, Melrose Credit Union’s first manager, hired Virginia as his first employee, and they worked in Louie’s home using an adding machine on a card table. Louie said that if he gave Virginia the name of one of the first 3000 members, she could give him that member’s number immediately.

By the time she retired, Virginia had worked for the first four managers of Melrose Credit Union—Louie Kunkel, Bob Cassidy, George O’Brien, and Simon Hellermann - attaining the position of assistant manager without the benefit of a college education. That credit union, which started with Virginia and Louie in his home, has evolved more recently into Magnifi Financial Credit Union with over 90,000 members and 26 branch locations from the Twin Cities to Moorhead.

Virginia loved her birds and collected numerous bird sculptures over the years. Her greatest pleasure, however, was watching the live birds come to several feeders that she and Clyde had in their backyard on the north side of the river on 4th Street NE. She could spend hours watching a wide variety of birds including hummingbirds, goldfinches, grosbeaks, and her absolute favorite—cardinals.

Survivors include her son, Karl, and former daughter-in-law, Marian. Grandchildren—Chad Storlie (Deborah), Charles (Chip) Storlie, Rick Storlie (Rachel), and Jaye Jonju. Great grandchildren—Breanna Storlie, Mason Storlie, Aaron Storlie, Connor Storlie, Tanner Storlie; Lauren Dahlquist, Allie Dahlquist, Gracelyn Storlie, and Everlee Storlie. Also survived by special friends—Carol, Moni and Chuck, Sandy and Bob, Alvina, Sandy, Veronica, Isaac, and so many others. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 66 years—Clyde; son—Larry; and aunts and uncles—Bill Bolz (Cecelia), Edwin Bolz, Dave Bolz, Ernie Bolz, Aurelia Bolz, Walt Wampach, Art Wampach (Ann), Wilfred Wampach, Alfred Wampach, Viola (Hal) Wampach, Lillian Wampach, Gilbert Wampach (Irene), Rose Wampach, and Harold Wampach (Julie).

Special thanks to the entire staff at Cura Park View Place in Melrose who not only took such good care of Mom for the 10 years she lived there but also became her good friends.

A private service will be held. Memorials to the donor’s choice of organization or charity.