Frederick L Virnig

Frederick Virnig, age 91, died Friday, January 22, 2016 at St Lukes Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Funeral Services will be 10:00AM Monday, January 25, 2016 at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth with Father Peter Klein officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service and one hour before services at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.comFrederick Loren Virnig was born September 14, 1924 in Morrison County, MN, and was the son of Frank B. and Susan (Thielen) Virnig. He attended school in Pierz, and graduated from Little Falls High School. After graduation, he worked on the family farm until he left for the army to serve his country in World War II where he was stationed in Japan. After his honorable discharge from the army, he attended St. Cloud College. Fred then worked in Princeton, MN as a public accountant, and then as an accountant for the Elmore Nursery. On June 15, 1955, he married Anita Schultz at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Easton, MN. Fred and Anita enjoyed 57 years of marriage together. They started their life together in Elmore, and he continued to work for the nursery until 1965 when he took a position as a salesman and manager for Elmore Concrete Products. In 1966 he and his family moved to Blue Earth, MN and he continued working for Elmore Concrete until the company closed in 1983. He concluded his career as a salesman at Superior Concrete in Mankato, MN when he retired in 1987. Fred was a true patriot, with a servant''s heart. After retirement, he was a volunteer driver of the Faribault County Veteran''s Van to the Veteran''s Hospital in Minneapolis for 17 years. Fred was an active member of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church of Blue Earth where he served as a minister of communion and as an usher. He was a life member of the American Legion Post No. 89 in Blue Earth, and a life member of the VFW Post NO. 4580 in Blue Earth where he served on the Honor Guard for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Blue Earth. In 2007, Fred was honored as the Outstanding Senior Citizen of Faribault County. Throughout his life, Fred actively sought opportunities to serve and help others. He was outgoing and social, and a great source of support and encouragement to his family. Fred was a true fan of the MN Twins, Vikings and all area sports. He also avidly followed and cheered for his children and grandchildren at their numerous events. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, having coffee with his friends, and time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by four children: Debra (Keven) Crabtree of Fergus Falls, MN; Roderick (Cathy) Virnig, Golden Valley, MN; Marsha (Gary) Engler, Blue Earth; and William (Michele) Virnig, Brookings, S.D., eight grandchildren: Elizabeth Crabtree, Christa (Gary) Mellum, Kathryn (Paul) Vukonich, Daniel (Jeanne) Virnig, Ryan Virnig, Nathan Virnig, Megan Engler, and Tyler Virnig, and three great grandchildren: Maya Virnig, Carter Vukonich, and Annabeth Crabtree. Also surviving are 2 step-grandchildren: Adam (Pam) Engler and Jolene (Andrew) Tesch, and four step-great grandchildren: Jake and Bailey Engler, and Charlie and Raina Tesch. He is also survived by his brother Chuck (Diana) Virnig, and sister-in-law Maxine Virnig. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Anita, his parents, brother Melvin Virnig, sister Julianne Ducharme, sister Romona Farnworth, an infant grandson Bradley Virnig, and an infant step-grandson David Tesch.