Turner Hall’s first female manager spear-headed re-designs
Virginia Suker-Moldan July 20, 1979 — May 20, 2023
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NEW ULM -- Former Turner Hall manager Virginia Suker-Moldan, 43, died Saturday at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm.
Suker-Moldan got her start in New Ulm as the first female manager of Turner Hall. She started in 2007 and worked that position until her resignation in 2018.
She led several projects. One of her earliest was opening Turner Hall to the public. The hall had previously only been open to members and tourists.
"It was based on her recommendation that it was open to the public and not just for members and tourists," Current Turner Hall manager Andrea Boettger said. "It saved the Turner Hall and brought in new revenue streams."
Suker-Moldan spearheaded several re-designs. In 2010 large parts of the hall were renovated. An elevator was installed and the deck and rear entrance were redone. The kitchen was remodeled late 2017 and opened early 2018 with state-of-the-art equipment.
David Hirth, the president while Suker-Moldan was manager, viewed this as one of the biggest projects she oversaw. "She did a tremendous job at organizing and getting that project done." Hirth said.
Hirth also saw her as a role model for women entering male-dominated spaces. "Virginia was a real strong role model as a woman manager. With the way that she managed Turner Hall she set a good example for other women to come into a predominantly male organization and be successful in that." Hirth said. "She didn't take any guff from anyone and was willing to give it back to them. She did a very good job in a difficult position."
She resigned in 2018 to spend more time with family and raising her daughters Lucia and Ellen. She opened a hydrotherapy center from home called Calm Lake Floats. This business allowed people to rent float pods and tanks for healing purposes.
City Councilman Les Schultz reminisced on the incredible and unique person Virginia was.
"She had that charisma that you just wanted to know her and be around her. Fiercely loyal person. She ran a Facebook page and many people wanted her to be a writer. Her passing shocked and saddened me because I saw so much good in her." Schultz said.
Current Turnverein president Matt Berger and member Terry Sveine shared other attributes they remember of Virginia.
Berger said "She was very dedicated to the community and making New Ulm a better place to be."
Sveine said "I appreciated her entrepreneurship after she left Turner Hall with her hydrotherapy home business."