VIRGINIA LEIGH STRANDBERG

VIRGINIA LEIGH STRANDBERG

     Virginia “Ginger” Leigh (Sorensen) Strandberg, 90, passed away peacefully at home, in Tacoma, WA, Nov. 19, 2024. She was born to parents Franklin L. Sorensen, Sr. and Alma (Wessel) Sorensen July 27, 1934, in Fairmont, MN. She grew up in Minneapolis, MN, where her family had moved when she was three years old. At age seven, Ginger spent a good part of a year recovering from Rheumatic Fever (before Penicillin was available). Her lifelong love of reading began during this time. This significant life event also helped to mold her into the empathic person she became. She was a graduate of Roosevelt High School, where she was editor of the school newspaper during her senior year. 

     While attending the University of Minnesota, she met the love of her life, fellow student, Harold “Bud” Leo Strandberg. The couple married the next summer after Harold graduated from veterinary school. They lived in Madison, WI, before Harold started active-duty service in the army. Harold and Ginger had five children, Susan, Sally, Bruce, Sandra and Sarah who was born in Germany.  Ginger embraced being an army spouse. In later life, Harold remarked that she was the perfect officer’s wife - she was so outgoing, people just gravitated to her. She was active in the Officers’ Wives Clubs in each location they were stationed. Ginger maintained many friendships with other army wives for decades by writing letters late at night; she called it her “quiet time.” 

     When Harold was sent to posts overseas, Ginger would oversee the packing of the household and follow with the children. Many times, Ginger was a “single” parent when Harold was sent TDY (temporary duty) to different locations. Over the 30 years, Ginger was an army wife, she lived in Germany, California, Okinawa (Japan), North Carolina and Wisconsin (for nine years, while Harold was in Vietnam for the State Department for one year, and eight years afterwards while he commuted to, first, Ft. Snelling, MN, and later, to Ft. Sheridan, IL). The final duty station was Ft. Lewis, Tacoma, WA. In 1981, the couple retired from military life in Tacoma, WA, where, after his military retirement, Harold worked another 20 years for the USDA.

     While in Tacoma, Ginger returned to school and became a nurse. She worked for 16 years at, first, Lakewood Hospital, then at St. Claire Hospital. She worked part-time, as she told the hospital that she had to be available to her four daughters as they gave birth to her grandchildren. She was a favorite nurse who later became a favorite patient.

     Ginger was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose focus in life was always the family. Ginger made sure that the family visited all the local sights and learned about the culture wherever they lived. She facilitated exploring whatever interests the children expressed. She invited the friends of all her children into our home, and it, as well as the yard, was always filled with neighborhood friends. In 1986, daughter Sally, with her sons, Larry and Glen, moved to Tacoma. Ginger, the loving grandmother that she was, was active in raising these grandsons. She and Harold spent their vacations in Wisconsin to spend time with the children and grandchildren living there. Ginger greatly enjoyed keeping up with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities later in life. 

     Ginger was a very social person who enjoyed people. She had a gift to connect with people; her warm smile and sparkling eyes just invited people to engage with her. Ginger was so loving and accepting of everyone, treating all like a friend. It always made her children smile to see that wherever the family lived, at whatever places she frequented, the friends she made at all these places would go out of their way to come and greet her. She was an avid card player and always happy when she was able to teach the younger generation to play her favorite card games.

     In addition to being a loving, devoted wife all her married years, Ginger also became a loving, devoted caregiver to Harold in his final years. The couple were married for 65 years, until Harold’s death in 2020 at age 92. Daughter Sally and grandson Glen assisted with Ginger’s wishes to stay in her home in her final years.

     Ginger is survived by her children, Susan Bitter of Black River Falls, WI, Sally (Steve) Bright of Tacoma, WA, Bruce (Sally) Strandberg of Tacoma, WA, Sandra (Harry) Gettelman of Anthem, AZ, and Sarah Strandberg Staff of Black River Falls, WI. She is further survived by grandchildren, Brent (Erin) Bitter, Adam (Carrie) Bitter, Karl (Betsy) Bitter, Larry (Katie) Larsen, Glen Larsen, Keith (Autumn Green) Strandberg, Kaylin Brenay, Jamie (Kenneth Aubrey) Strandberg, Jessica Harm, Justin (Britta) Janke, Soren Staff, and Jens (Gretta) Staff, as well as 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

     In addition to her parents and husband, Ginger was predeceased by her siblings Franklin (Mary) Sorensen Jr. and Donna Sorensen, as well as son-in-law Mark Bitter.

     There will be a celebration of life family gathering at a future date still to be determined.