Virginia Mae Oolman

Virginia Mae Oolman was born to George and Emma (Effa) Schubring on April 12, 1927 in Wausau, Wisconsin where she was raised. After her graduation from Wausau High School in 1947, she attended Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota for one year. She then continued her education at Mounds-Midway School of Nursing in St. Paul. In 1949, she graduated as a Registered Nurse and became employed at Midway Hospital in St. Paul. On December 27, 1950, she married Donald M. Oolman at Immanuel Baptist Church, Wausau. Following their marriage, they lived in St. Paul, and Virginia continued to work at Midway Hospital until Don completed his education in veterinary medicine. In 1953, they moved to Jasper, Minnesota. Don and Virginia were the proud parents of six children. After her family started school, Virginia became the Director of the Pipestone County Home Health Agency and she continued in that capacity for 24 years. In 1971, she was the recipient of the first scholarship awarded by the American Cancer Society to study Enterostomal Therapy. She went to Abbot-Northwestern to complete this course and became the first Enterostomal Therapist in southwestern Minnesota. Don preceded her in death on January 12, 1986. After his death, Virginia continued to reside in Jasper. In 1995, she became the nurse at the Jasper Sunrise Village and she served there for six years. At the same time, she also assisted with the funerals at the Hartquist Funeral Homes, Foster Chapel in Jasper. Virginia remained in her home until the age of 90. At that time, she moved to Sunrise Village in Jasper and then to the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. After a brief illness, she died peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the Pipestone County Medical Center at the age of 92 years, ten months and 19 days.

During her 35 wonderful years of marriage to the love of her life, Donald, they primarily spent their time at church and family activities. Raising five children did not allow much free time, but she always made her husband and children her top priority. As the children grew, she and Don did find time to vacation in Alaska and Caribbean with friends. As grandchildren came into the picture she found a new hobby of spoiling them, “breaking their parents rules” and teaching them how much Jesus loves them. Her husband Donald’s passing was a devastating chapter in her life that brought the family closer than ever. She never stopped missing him. Her family, strong faith in God and church family helped fill the void. She found several close friends to fill her time taking bus trips and painting classes. Her cheerful, ever-present smile, great sense of humor and laughter will never be forgotten whether you knew her from church, community or family.

Virginia was an active member of Faith Community Church in Pipestone and served in many capacities. Perhaps her greatest joy there was teaching the Preschool Sunday School Class for over 42 years. For several years, she was also the coordinator for the Friendship Bible Studies and had two studies in her home each week. She also enjoyed reading and traveling.

She is lovingly remembered by her five children, John Mark Oolman of Woodbury, Minnesota, Julie Ann (Joe) Bostic of Hartford, South Dakota, James Martin (Rosemary) Oolman of Woodbury, Minnesota, Joel Thomas (Jeanne) Oolman of Slayton Minnesota, and Janine Marie (David) Hazelton of Pipestone, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren: Brandon McLaughlin and Ian Oolman, Carly (Jacob) Boom, Nolan and Nathan Bostic, Gregory (Ashley), Andrew and Michael Oolman, Jessica (Bryan) Kramer, Seth (Libby) Oolman, Landon and Conner Hazelton, and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her daughter, Cynthia Joy; her parents; and brothers: George W (Bud), E James and Donald Schubring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to World Vision.