Virginia Thomson

To view a copy of Virginia's memorial service, click here https://youtu.be/857QAxkyXZ8

Virginia A. Thomson, 102, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2020 at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND.  She was born October 14, 1917, near Woodhull, IL, to James Henry Crane and Nelle Johanna Sanquist Crane.  Her parents were farmers who later relocated to a farm near Cummings, ND, in 1944.

After graduating high school at Woodhull Township High, she graduated from Blackburn College, Carlinville, IL, a private two-year liberal arts college where students funded their entire education with their work on campus.  She then attended the University of Illinois for one year where she met Howard O. James, whom she married in 1938. 

The couple had three children and lived in Illinois, Utah and Arizona before divorcing in 1949.  Virginia moved to North Dakota with her three children where she attended Aaker’s Business School in Grand Forks to learn bookkeeping.  The children lived with their grandparents on the farm during her schooling.

Virginia was employed at Maytag Sales & Service as a bookkeeper.  She met and married Byron Thomson, circulation manager of the Grand Forks Herald newspaper, in 1958.  Virginia became stepmother to Byron’s two adult children and Byron became a beloved stepfather to her children.

Virginia had a passion for education, and particularly valued children’s literature.  She shared her strong value for life-long learning when she founded and maintained a library at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for over 25 years.  She continued her own education at the University of North Dakota and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Library Science in 1971.  After graduation, she worked at the Grand Forks Public Library for several years.  Mom continued her love of reading up to the time of her death.  Gifts to her grandchildren were invariably books. When her eyesight failed, Virginia used various playback devices to listen to hundreds of books; her favorites were historical biographies. 

Virginia and Byron were great traveling companions; they loved their visits to several foreign countries and all US states except Hawaii.  They greatly enjoyed their long-time whist group.  Virginia and Byron had a happy 30-year marriage; Byron died in 1989.

Virginia was actively involved in numerous community organizations including St. Mark’s ELCW, Homemakers Club and P.E.O., where she was a 50-year member.  She was an enthusiastic water exerciser at the YWCA while continuing her involvement with the church library.

Inherited from her father, Virginia maintained a lifelong, intense interest in politics and current events; subjects she was always eager to discuss and learn more about.  She loved to talk on the phone to her grandchildren who always could count on her enthusiastic love and support.

Virginia is survived by her three children, Richard James (Marilyn) of Cornville, AZ, Geraldine James of San Pedro, CA, and Douglas James (Susan Berry) of Lacey, WA, stepdaughter Marlys Rifi, five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, five nephews and nieces, and twenty-two grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Carolyn Zimmerman, brother Henry Crane and stepson Byron Thomson, Jr.

The family looks forward to gathering in the future to remember Virginia when the pandemic conditions then allow.  The family sends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Valley Senior Living who lovingly cared for Virginia the past three years.  Additionally, we want to acknowledge our cousins, Nancy Young and Lori Oian, who were so generous with their love for and attention to their aunt, our mother, for so many years.

Per Virginia’s request, please direct memorials to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Grand Forks.

A memorial service will take place 1:30 PM Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks.