Virginia Spicer

VIRGINIA RAE SPICER was born to Raymond and Viola Carstensen on November 30, 1940 in Elmer Township, Pipestone, Minnesota. Virginia was baptized and confirmed in Saint John Lutheran Church, Trosky, Minnesota. She was raised on the farm in rural Pipestone County and graduated from Edgerton High School in 1958. On August 29, 1958 she was united in marriage to Larry J. Monke. The couple was blessed with five children and made their home in rural Pipestone, Minnesota.

In 1982 Virginia moved into Pipestone and began working at Ben Franklin. She attended Southwestern Vocational Technical Institute evenings, where she attained her Diploma as an Administrative Secretary and began her 20 year career as Office Manager at S&S Truck Repair. On July 25, 1987 she was united in marriage to Gene Spicer. The couple has since made their home in Pipestone where Virginia continued to work at S&S Truck Repair until her retirement in 2006. On Wednesday, November 13, 2013, Virginia died under hospice care at the Pipestone County Medical Center at the age of 72 years, 11 months and 13 days.

Virginia was a member of the Pipestone/Jasper Lions Club. As an active member of the Lions, she was involved with the Regional Special Olympics, Youth Exchange Programs, served as the Diabetes Chair and also as Zone Chair. At the local level she held the offices of Treasurer, Secretary, and President. On the District level she served as Vice District Governor as well as District Governor. Virginia was bestowed the 'Melvin Jones Award', awarded for her dedicated humanitarian service through the Lions Club International Foundation. She loved being outside working in her garden, and her garden was on the master gardeners' tour several years ago.

Virginia was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church of Pipestone. She was a member of the Praise Circle, served as the Church Financial Secretary for several years, and assisted with many church activities and functions. Virginia was an avid quilter and created a beautiful quilt for each grandchild which she presented upon their high school graduation. She was also a member of the Pipestone Creative Quilters Guild, which makes and donates quilts to individuals and for event donations.

Virginia will be lovingly remembered by her husband Gene; her children, Kim Wolff (Roland), Michelle Rowback (John), Lori Alderson, Kyle Monke (Kim), Val Carmody, Melissa Spicer (Doug Ruiter), all of Pipestone, Jim (Laura) Spicer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; twelve grandchildren; one sister, Carole Sommers (Jim), Trosky, MN; and her brothers, Dan Carstensen (Pat), Rick Carstensen (Kim Lueck), Jeff Carstensen (Karla), all of Trosky, MN, and Jim Carstensen (Diane Hinz), Pipestone, MN. She is preceded in death by her son, Kevin Monke; one brother, Larry Carstensen; and her parents.

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