Virginia Anderson
June 10, 1923-June 23, 2009Virginia Margaret (Petron) Anderson, the daughter of Peter J. and Anna (May) Petron was born June 10, 1923, in a Great Northern Railroad section house in Stanley, North Dakota, where she grew up in a Polish railroad family of seven. In the course of her childhood, Virginia had several foster siblings and her home was often used as an impromptu annex when the nurse's beds were full, especially in the wintertime. In addition to cheerleading in high school, Virginia enjoyed entertaining as a drum majorette, tap dancer and dance performer at civic and county events.
She graduated with honors from both high school and then from Minot State Teachers College. She received majors in business and English and a minor in social studies. She taught full-time in Tioga and Stanley. On November 22, 1952, Virginia was united in marriage to Larry O. Anderson, a railroad telegrapher in Stanley. After moving to Tioga, Guthrie, Drake and Willow City following her husband's early career as a depot agent, Virginia and Larry and their seven children settled in Towner in 1969, where Larry took a position with the Pioneer State Bank of Towner.
Virginia was an active member of the Darner's Club, Homemakers Club, and Christian Mothers of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Towner. For years, she was court secretary for St. Cecilia's Court 2109 of the Catholic Order of Foresters, a position she still held at her death. Virginia was often called upon to substitute teach at both local public and private schools in Towner, Willow City, Stanley and Tioga. An avid reader, She had a great love for learning, reading literature and reciting poetry. Doing word puzzles and quizzes with her children and grandchildren were a favorite pastime. In her later years, she and Larry enjoyed many extensive trips to Europe and took many cruises and tours.
Virginia died at the age of 86 years on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, North Dakota, following a short, but intensive battle with pancreatic cancer.
Survivors include her husband, Larry, of Towner; her children, Patrick (Patricia) of St. Cloud, MN, Michael (Luanne) of Bath, SD, Timothy (Diana) of Billings, MT, Robert (Catherine) of Minot, Mary Rose Anderson of Ames, IA, Joseph (Jeanne) of Douglas, WY, and Nicholas (Vanda) of Ortonville, MN; 22 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; a sister, Angeline Anderson of Spokane, WA; a brother, Donald (Betty) Petron of The Villages, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by a son, Francis, in infancy; a brother, Theodore Petron; a sister, Irene Hanley; two sisters in infancy, Dorothy and Mary Petron; and her parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2009, at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Towner with burial in the Church cemetery. Father Wensaulaus Katanga, Celebrant.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Anderson Funeral Home in Towner and for one hour prior to the time of services at the Church on Saturday.
A rosary and vigil prayer service will begin at 7 p.m. today in the funeral home.
Music: St. Cecilia's Music Ministry.
Casket bearers: Alexander, Sean, Damian, Christopher, Samuel, Anthony, Dominic and Martin Anderson.
