Virginia Beach

The funeral service for Virginia Beach, of Clarissa will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, at the New Life Church of God in Bertha, with Pastors Dan Foster, Jason Knoll and Daryl Jacobson presiding. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service. Under the tender care of Lakewood Hospice of Staples, Virginia, age 67, passed away Monday, June 20, 2016 at her home in Clarissa, MN. Virginia “Ginny” Marie Pontius was born May 3, 1949 at Long Prairie Hospital to Matt and Olga “Ole” (Nelson) Pontius. She attended Eagle Bend Public School and graduated with the Class of 1967. After graduation Ginny moved to Spokane, WA, where she made her home with her brother, Dave, for five years. She did a variety of jobs including cooking, waitressing, along with nursing home & hospital aide. She returned to Minnesota and worked in Minneapolis for a year before attending Brainerd Community College where she completed Psychiatric Technician Training in 1974. At that time she returned to Eagle Bend to help care for her dad. During this course of time Ginny met the love of her life, Roger Beach. They started dating on December 21, 1974 and were married on March 21, 1975. In 1976, Roger quit roadwork and they purchased the home farm. Ginny learned the ropes of farming, tractor driving, planting and harvesting crops. Her favorite was milking cows. She always wanted to live on a farm and work outdoors. But, she once said, “one has to watch what you wish for!”. It was here that they raised their three children, who worked hard and learned many life lessons, making them productive adults that their parents are so proud of today. In 2003, with their kids raised, Roger and Ginny sold their milk cows. By 2004 they moved into Clarissa and passed the farm onto the third generation of Beaches. Ginny worked at a group home and cleaned houses until her cancer slowed her down. She fought the battle with God at her side for over 10 years. She inspired and encouraged others along the journey with her unending trust in God. In her spare time Ginny enjoyed, gardening and beautifying her yard. She spent endless hours sewing, with a focus on quilts. Baby quilts were her specialty. This past Christmas she made 20 TV quilts for her grandchildren and other special people in her life. Her passion was teaching her family how to make homemade foods like lefsa, noodles and doughnuts! She and Roger gave of their time giving 4-wheeler rides at the park for picnics or just for a spin-around-the-yard or town. They created a multitude of good memories that will last a lifetime. Preceding Virginia in death were her parents Matt and Olga Pontius; in-laws George and Gladys Beach; sisters Donna (Derald) Johnson and Loretta (Wayne) Olson; niece Jenny (Pratt) Kaufmann and nephew Warren Johnson. Left to celebrate Virginia’s life are her husband of over 40 years, Roger; children Nancy (David) Toensing of Farmington, Bonnie (Jeremiah) Johnson of Bertha, Daniel (Nicole) Beach of Eagle Bend; grandchildren Connor, Quinn and Wesley Toensing, Madison and Boston Johnson, Kaeden, Delani and Harper Beach; sister Janet (Norris) Thorud; brother David (Helen) Pontius; and special sister-in-law Lonna Olson; brothers–in-law Norman, Myron, Dennis, Terry and Alan and their families; along with many nieces and nephews. God bless the memory of Virginia! Pallbearers will be Dick Klug, Dennis Gabler, Joel Sablovitch, Eric Denny, Jeff Sarff and Eric Adams. Burial will be in the Pleasant Mound Cemetery, Clotho, MN.

Virginia Beach

May 3, 1949 - June 20, 2016