Virgil Ronholdt

Virgil Ronholdt, age 78, of Benson, died peacefully Thursday evening, November 12, at the Gabriel House in Murdock with his family by his side.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, November 18, at Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburg.  Interment will be at Spring Creek Lutheran Cemetery in rural Murdock.  Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Tuesday and 1 hour prior to the service on Wednesday at Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburg.  Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Sunburg Funeral Home. (www.petersonbrothers.com)
Virgil Thomas Ronholdt was born October 5, 1937, on the family farm in Kerkhoven Township, near Murdock, Minnesota, the son of Bennie and Ruth (Gronseth) Ronholdt.  He grew up on the family farm and was baptized and confirmed at Spring Creek Lutheran Church and graduated from Kerkhoven High School in 1955.  After his father's death in 1955, he took over the dairy farm. On June 18, 1965, he was married to Laurice "Laurie" C. Trapp in St. Paul, Minnesota.  They made their home back on the Ronholdt family farm near Murdock and continued with dairy cattle until he semi-retired in 2001.  Virgil and Laurie had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past June.  Even after retiring, Virgil helped on the farm until 2014.  Virgil and Laurie did some traveling after his retirement which he enjoyed, along with woodworking, fishing, caring for his apple trees, and gardening. Virgil looked forward to spending time with his six grandchildren.  He especially enjoyed the annual visit to the fishing resort in northern MN.  Virgil was active in his church, first at Spring Creek and then at Hope Lutheran.  He was on the building committee, on church council, and sang in the choir.  Virgil loved his family and they summed up his life as Faith, Family and Farming.
He is survived by his wife, Laurie; three children, Loralyn (and Mark) Westergaard of Wakonda, SD, Sheryl (and Drew) Tinaglia of Faribault, and Brian (and Lora) Ronholdt of Murdock.  Also surviving are six grandchildren (Zechariah and Noah Westergaard, Tanner and Lilly Ronholdt, and Mae and Lane Tinaglia) and a sister, Loretta (and Alfred) Urke of Murdock, besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant daughter, Lynnette.

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