Virginia "Ginger" Bjurlin

Virginia (Ginger) Mae Nachtigal Bjurlin was born February 18, 1945, in Wheaton, MN, the oldest daughter of Carl & Leola Nachtigal. The family lived on a small farm six miles west of Wheaton and ten years later moved to a bigger house one mile east. In her early years she babysat, cleaned and waitressed at the Wheaton Café. After graduating from high school in 1963, she moved to Minneapolis and was a file clerk at Cargill in downtown Minneapolis.

Ginger and Ron met when she and some girlfriends rode home from Bible camp with Ron and his friends. On July 3, 1965, Ginger and Ron were married at the Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton. They made their home in Willmar, MN until June 1968 when they moved to Alexandria, MN. They were blessed with three daughters, Rhonda, Gina and Sara. When Sara started kindergarten, Ginger started working as a paraprofessional for Alexandria District 206, where she spent many years working with special needs children, retiring in 2007, after 32 years. She continued as a substitute para until 2015 when she was first diagnosed with cancer. She and Ron also provided respite and foster care for many kids with special needs, and Ginger was a PCA for more than 15 years.

Ginger was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She faithfully accompanied Ron to many folk music festivals. She demonstrated to her daughters and to everyone around her the importance of compassion for all people at every level. She loved children and especially enjoyed supporting her grandchildren in all their activities. She was a gifted seamstress and made many cute outfits for her young girls and for her grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and had beautiful flower gardens. Reading, visiting with family and friends and puzzles were some of her other pastimes.

Ginger loved the Lord and wanted others to know about having a personal relationship with Jesus. She was active in the Alexandria Covenant Church, teaching Sunday School and partnering with Ron to lead the youth group for a number of years. She was also on the Missions Committee for a time.

Ginger passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at her home at the age of 72 after a 2.5 year battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Ron of Alexandria; daughters, Rhonda Bjurlin of Minneapolis, Gina (Rich) Courtemanche of Aitkin, MN and Sara (Mike) Lindsey of New Brighton, MN; 7 grandchildren, Elise, Nikki, Anne, and Colin Courtemanche, Marissa, Mattias, and Andrea Lindsey; sister, Bonnie (Vince) Goodnough; brothers, Roy (Carol) Nachtigal, Roger (Stephanie) Nachtigal and Ron (Holly) Nachtigal; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ginger is preceded in death by her parents, Leola and Carl Nachtigal.

A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM on Friday, January 19, 2018, at the Alexandria Covenant Church in Alexandria.  Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM with on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the Anderson Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Samaritan’s Purse. www.samaritanspurse.org