Virginia N. Storey

In Loving Memory of Virginia Storey

December 16, 1936 – May 1, 2025

With full hearts and cherished memories, we announce the peaceful passing of Virginia  Naida Storey on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the age of 88. A beloved mother, grandmother,  great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, cousin, aunt, friend, and pillar of her  community, Virginia leaves behind a LEGACY of deep faith, infinite kindness, and  boundless love.

Born on her mother’s birthday, December 16, 1936, in Hibbing, Minnesota, Virginia was the  treasured daughter of Lincoln and Beatrice Naida Clarissy (Little) Lahti. Her name was  lovingly chosen by her Aunt Ruth (Lahti) whose middle name was Virginia, and her middle  name honored her mother, known to all as Naida. As a child, she strained to pronounce  “Virginia” and end up demanding to be called “Meena” – a nickname her adoring father called her long into her adult life.

Early Years

Though an only child, Virginia shared an inseparable bond with her cousin Rita “Patty”  (Erickson) Osborn, forming a sisterhood that would span nearly 9 decades. She was  homeschooled until the 3rd grade and later attended schools across Duluth including a  modest 2-classroom elementary school in Twig, Minnesota as well as Washington Junior  and Central High schools. Virginia was an exceptional student and highly intelligent. Her 7th grade English teacher presented her to the class as a shining example of excellence in  Reading and English. Virginia also excelled in high school, skipping 9th grade. She attributed  this advancement to her upbringing, surrounded primarily by adults who read to her  nonstop.

Her childhood was full of sweet memories such as receiving handcrafted dolls (the  infamous “Ruthie Doll”) by her grandmother, Anna Elisabeth, for her birthday every year and playing in her screened in sandbox her father built brilliantly to keep the bugs away. It  was large enough for her grandfather, Gustav, to join her and get in his 40 winks after lunch. She never had a television so listening to the radio, reading, playing pretend with her  mother and walking in the woods with her father were favorite past times. As a teenager,  Virginia was a self-proclaimed “brat” and free-spirited with aspirations in becoming a  nurse.

Marriage and Career

Virginia’s life was beautifully full. Married 4 times, she loved each of her husbands deeply  and without apology, saying “yes” to love and family time and time again. A proud and  devoted mother, she once raised 7 children under one roof – giving birth to 5 and nurturing  many more. She opened her heart and home to any child in need, blood relative or not. She  blended families with grace, compassion, discipline, and an open-door spirit, ultimately  becoming a cherished matriarch to a sprawling family tree rooted in love.

Virginia worked hard and poured into any and every position she ever held, regardless of  paycheck. Her career included various roles across Minnesota and Wisconsin working as a  Nurse’s Aide, Teacher’s Aide, Bakery Employee, a position at Couparrel Snowmobiles,  Volunteer at Warroad Memorial (hockey) Arena and served on many committees at her  home church, Zion Lutheran Church. She eventually retired as an Assembler at Marvin  Windows and Doors in Warroad, Minnesota.

Hobbies/Interests

Virginia’s passions were many. She was an artist, an enthusiastic reader, a seamstress, a  chef and a singer. She loved to bake and was famous for her Suoma Nisu (Finnish coffee  bread) and Finnish pancakes, recipes that now live on through generations. She could often  be found at her sewing machine crafting clothes for the kids’ dolls, in her kitchen  surrounded by laughter and flour, or belting out hymns in the church choir. Virginia was  well-traveled, always up for a good road trip celebrating life’s milestones, exploring the  world with curiosity, and fiercely dedicated to Al-Anon conferences, which profoundly  shaped her life. Card games, dance parties, puzzles and gathering with loved ones filled her  cup. Wherever Virginia was, joy, light and warmth followed.

Legacy

At the core of Virginia’s spirit was her unshakable faith in and love for Jesus Christ. She  believed in the quiet power of kindness, once saying the best investment one could make is  “kindness to other people.” She lived these words each day with generosity, humility, and  love that knew no bounds. Virginia did not see wealth through the eyes of possessions and  fortune. Her currency was time, and with it, she invested in people. Virginia’s impact is  tattooed on the hearts of many. Her life serves as a reminder that true happiness comes  from giving and serving with others.

Virginia is survived by her dear cousin Rita “Patty” Osborn; her children, Debra Harrison, Donna (Tim) Noonan, Georgette (Gary) Bruhn, Kathleen Evans, Charlene “Sheri” (Bob)  McClain, Kelly Evans, James (Emily) Fish, Gene (Alison) Fish, Gary (Connie) Fish, Gayle

Fish, Donna (Jim) Butler, Bob (Debbie) Storey, Les Storey, Laurel (David) Ulwelling, Ron  (Diana) Storey, Wade (Bernie) Storey, Julie (Michael) Clark and Patti (Pete) Hodgson along  with COUNTLESS grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great  cousins who will continue to honor her legacy and carry it forward with joy and devotion.

She joins in eternal rest her parents, Lincoln and Naida; her stepfather, Uno Johnson; her 4  beloved husbands – Don Wigington, Roger Evans, Harold Fish, and Lester Storey; her  daughter, Deb Diepenbrock; her son, Roger 'Lil Rog' Evans; grandsons, Heath  Evans and Duane Harrison; granddaughter, Jade Fish. 

Departed But Never Forgotten

A celebration of Virginia’s remarkable life will take place on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 3:00 PM  Central at Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad, Minnesota, with visitation beginning 1 hour  prior. Interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Warroad, Minnesota.

Though our hearts ache, we rejoice in the life she lived so fully. Virginia was a woman of  wisdom, joy, and unwavering faith. She gave without hesitation, loved without condition,  and lived every moment fully. We will miss her dearly, but her spirit will forever echo in our  laughter, our kitchens, and our acts of kindness. She was – and forever will be – the  absolute best of us!

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