Virginia Myhre

Monday, March 21, 2016 6:58 pm

Virginia Myhre, 87, of Decorah, died Sunday, March 13, 2016, at Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah. Services were at 11 a.m., Friday, March 18, at Decorah Lutheran Church, with Rev. Dave Sorenson and Rev. Charis Combs-Lay officiating. Organist was Kathy Murray. Soloist was Talia Schmidt (“Beyond the Sunset”). Other music was “Softly and Tenderly,” “Borning Cry” and “How Great Thou Art.” Casket bearers were Carl Smorstad, Eric Smorstad, Robert Thomas, Lucas Welper, Jeremy Ode and James “Otto” Freise. Interment was at Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah. The family of Virginia Myhre would like to thank you for your thoughts and prayers and many acts of kindness. And to everyone who helped mom find “joy in her journey” this past year, your thoughtfulness will always be remembered and may God bless you as you continue on your journey of faith.

Virginia Jane (Strien) Myhre was born Dec. 7, 1928, to Carl and Verla (Schara) Strien in Postville. She was baptized March 29, 1929, in Farmersburg, at the Lutheran Church of Farmersburg. Virginia was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Postville March 25, 1945, by Pastor Frederick Ludwig. Virginia grew up on a farm around the Postville – Castalia area. She loved doing fieldwork with her dad. She and her father used to husk corn for the neighbors for .10 cents a bushel. Virginia attended Moneek Country School with six other children, three of which were her brother and sisters. She married Albert “Abby” Myhre of Spring Grove, Minn. Aug. 14, 1947. Together they had three children: Dennis, Debbie and June. Virginia worked at Deco Products in Decorah from April 1963 until October of 1994. She retired so that she was able to care for Albert who passed away Nov. 23, 1994. Virginia loved her pets and was very interested in learning about Bible prophecy. She volunteered at the senior citizens meal site, and was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church where she was a greeter for many years and on different prayer chains.

Virginia is survived by her son, Dennis (Deb) Myhre, Decorah; two daughters, Debra (Gary) Smorstad, Decorah and June Thesing, La Crosse, Wis.; two sisters, Betty Mapson, Sterling, Ill. and Charlotte Ferris, Markesan, Wis.; one brother, Curtis (Shirley) Strien, Waterloo; five grandchildren: Sarah (Lucas) Welper, Laura (Jeremy) Ode, Alicia (Otto) Freise, Carl (Kendra) Smorstad and Eric Smorstad; three great-grandchildren: Haylie and Logan Welper and Lee Freise; along with many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Albert “Abby” Myhre, Nov.  23, 1994; her parents, Carl and Verla (Schara) Strien; father- and mother-in-law, Olaf and Cecelia (Melbostad) Myhre; brothers in law:  Robert Mapson, Dean Ferris, Carlton (Clara) Myhre, Clarence (Ruby) Myhre, Milford Myhre, Kenneth Myhre, Odell (Karen) Myhre and Wayne (Madeline) Myhre; son-in-law, Thomas Thesing.