HANSKA - Virginia "Gina" Blackstad, 85, of Hanska, died Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the New Ulm Medical Center.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 6 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska with Rev. Mary Suomala Folkerds officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation will be 47 p.m. Tuesday at Schmucker Funeral Service in Hanska and one hour prior to the service at the church.
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Virginia Mae Schmidt, the daughter of Frank and Sydna (Hughes) Schmidt, was born May 13, 1927 near Cambria After graduating from New Ulm High School in 1945, Gina attended nursing school at the former Union Hospital in New Ulm. She was united in marriage to Clayton "Ole" Blackstad July 3, 1949 at the Little Brown Church in Iowa. They made their home in Hanska. In addition to raising her children, Gina worked at Osters, Windings, Hy-Vee, Pantasote, and owned and operated Gina's Cafe in Hanska. She finished her working career as a Home Health Aide before retiring in 2000. After her husband's death January 4, 1984, Gina continued to make her home in Hanska. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska.
Survivors include sons, Craig (Brenda) Blackstad, Dennis Blackstad all of Hanska; daughter, Deb (Bruce) Johnson of Willmar; four grandchildren, Hali (Darin) Coble, Kasi Johnson, Craig and Sadie Blackstad; one great-granddaughter, Evie Coble; sister, Shirley (Gene) Bode of New Ulm, sister-in-law, Shirley Schmidt of North Mankato; nieces, nephews and many cousins.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter Marcy Blackstad, brother Howard Schmidt, sister Irma "Tootie" Bode, and sister-in-law Joyce Marquardt.
Memorials are preferred.