Virginia Pelto

Virginia (Miller) Pelto, age 60, of Cologne, MN died suddenly on Thursday, May 8, 2014 of a heart related issue. Private family services and interment was held at the Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.

Virginia Therese, the daughter of Alvin Sr. and Lucille (Kahnke) Miller, was born on March 21, 1954 in Waseca. She attended Sacred Heart and graduated from Waseca High School in 1972. She continued her education at the College of St. Theresa, Minnesota School of Business, and the National American University. Virginia had a twenty-plus year career as a healthcare professional. She was a member of the American Association of Medical Assistants. In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Virginia was a loving mother, grandmother and devoted friend.

Virginia was an avid craftsman: sewing, knitting and quilting items. She enjoyed the outdoors; working in her gardens, literally smelling the roses, and bird-watching, first with her father and later her friends. She taught her children to love the outdoors, taking walks and making homegrown meals from the garden. Of the many things Virginia loved, above all she loved people. As a very spiritual person, she put the world on her shoulders and in her prayers. She donated time to her church, her community and anyone who needed to just talk.

For years Virginia's friends, co-workers, and family looked to her for counsel; late nights, long phone calls, and letters were her forte; people might say she went the 'extra mile' to help those in need, but the truth is more potent. She "ran marathons" to help those around her! It didn't really matter what they needed; she put in extra hours just to see their smiles. She was a selfless soul, happiest when others benefitted from her help. Every person who came in contact with Virginia went on to live better lives because of her. She was a loving and dedicated mother, taking care of her four children and putting their needs before her own. After seeing them off into the world, she turned right around and kept on helping those in need. The world will never forget the incredible spirit, dedication and will embodied by Virginia Therese (Miller) Pelto.

She is survived by her children, Philip (fiancé, Gerri) Pelto, Benjamin (Juli) Pelto, Jonathan Pelto, and Kevin (fiancé, Kathryn) Pelto; her grandchild, Madison, her siblings, Sister Ramona, OSF, Alvin (Donna), Kathleen, Robert, Patricia (Glen), Marylu, Diane, John (Sandy), Janet (Jim), Linda, Helen (Tom), Art (Michelle), Dolores, Marty, Pauline, Alice, Angela (John), Marcia (Randy), Gregory (Karen), and Damien (Claudia); and by many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Rose Ann Miller.