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Submitted: 6/9/24 • Approved: 6/10/24 • Last Updated: 6/13/24 • R275981-G275981-S3
Virginia Lee Anderson Ralston
October 14, 1943 - March 22, 2024
Virginia Ralston, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital. She was 80.
Virginia (Ginny) Lee Anderson was born to Raymond and Lauretta (Metzler) Anderson on October 14th, 1943 in Sioux Falls. She was one of 9 siblings. She attended Little Flower Grade School, Whittier Junior High School and graduated from Washington High School in 1961.
She met Gerald L. Ralston at Washington High School. Gerry would go to Cutlers to see her skate around as she worked as a car hop. She married Gerry on October 9th, 1965. They made their home in Sioux Falls, where she worked for Howalt McDowell Insurance. They had four children: Annlee, Alexander, Laura, and Matthew. When Gerry died in 1982, Virginia raised their four children and loved and supported them for both of them. She dedicated her time and efforts to her children and grandchildren for the rest of her life.
She cherished her four grandchildren, Max, Lily, Gabriel, and Finn. They helped her with technology, raking the yard, and went to movies together. The grandkids said of their accomplishments and adventures that "they're not glorious until grandma knows."
Virginia loved Christmas. She left her tree up for months, gave forgotten gifts in February, and some of the really special decorations stayed up all year. She never saw a Christmas tree that she didn't love.
She also loved music, birds, plants, McDonald’s cheeseburgers, and Coca-Cola in every form. Much to her delight, she later discovered diet Mountain Dew.
Virginia had a keen sense of humor and loved a good story. She was also a wonderful listener and gave smart advice. She had time for everyone and respected and connected with people from all walks of life. She played Bunco with a group of dear friends for years and made pottery, candles, and soap with another special group of ladies. She took up golf in later years and was quite good, entering and even winning some tournaments. Most important, she met another group of lifelong friends. She and her sisters went on vacations together and used to meet every Saturday for lunch at Minerva's with their mom. We are so grateful for their love and support of her.
Virginia also dedicated several years to volunteering in hospice with Avera McKennan Hospital.
She is survived by her children, Annlee (Nelvin) Alex, Laura (Steve), and Matthew; grandchildren, Max, Lily, Gabe, and Finn; brothers, Tom and Mark (Somer); sisters, Joanie Anderson, Jeanne Mulvihill (Ron), Colleen Sanford, and Lian (Jay) Zea; many wonderful nieces and nephews as well as some cheeky black squirrels in her neighborhood, one of whom (Blackie) lived in her downstairs for several days until he was recently gently evicted.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerry, her parents, a brother, Marly, and a sister, Mary Lou.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, April 5, 2024, at Miller Southside Chapel, 74000 S. Minnesota Avenue. (81st and Minnesota Ave.) The interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Miller Southside Chapel.
Contributed on 6/9/24 by 9katz
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Record #: 275981