Virginia Thomma

Virginia M. Van Thomma, age 71, of Albert Lea and formerly of Faribault, died Sunday, January 11, 2009 at Albert Lea Medical Center.             Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Harvest Time Church in Faribault, with Pastor Peter Kuriger, officiating. Interment will be at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday for one hour prior to the services at the church.             Virginia Margaret Bishop, the daughter of Alvin and Blanche (Bignel) Bishop, was born on July 4, 1937 in Pepin, WI. She was raised in the Pepin area and as a teenager worked for Red Wing Shoe Factory. She married Glen Van Thomma on April 13, 1956 in Iowa. He preceded her in death on March 7, 1993. Virginia worked as a waitress in Faribault at Happy Chef and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Most recently she worked at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Albert Lea, where she has lived for the past 7 years. Virginia enjoyed traveling and her life around her grandchildren.             She is survived by a daughter, Jackie (Richard) Brooks of Albert Lea; three grandchildren, Nathan Brooks, Ashley (Jeremiah) Krowiorz, and Stoney Brooks; three brothers, Alvin Jr. "Red" (Nancy) Bishop of Durand, WI, Terry (Ginny) Bishop of Ellsworth, WI, and Larry (Pat) Bishop of Hastings, MN; four sisters, Birdie (Bill) Gilbertson of Arkansas, WI, Joyce Roper of Red Wing, Lucy Rose of Red Wing, and Linda (Glenn) Breeze of St. Paul; and many other relatives and friends.             She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and two sisters, Lorraine Bishop and Debbie Stulc.