Virginia "Ginny" Whitcher, 93, of Viborg, SD, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
The chapters of her life were many; these are some of them.
Born in 1932, Virginia began a life that would touch many along the way.
Virginia held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The community of faith holds its own well — and Virginia was held.
Virginia "Ginny" (Sorensen) Whitcher, 93 of Viborg, passed away on February 27, 2026 at the Pioneer Memorial Medical Center in Viborg. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at Spring Valley Lutheran Church, Viborg, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to the Spring Valley Cemetery.Virginia Marie Whitcher was born December 2, 1932 to Carl and Lucinda (Anderson) Lauridsen in Turner County, SD. She attended school in Viborg and was Valedictorian of her 8th grade class. She graduated from Viborg High School in 1950.On February 27, 1951 she was united in marriage to Lorell Sorensen. To this union they had 3 children: Paula, Timothy, and Kay. She worked on the farm and was also a CNA for a few years. Ginny moved to Rapid City, SD after Lorell's death.Ginny married Walter Whitcher and spent 32 years in western South Dakota where she took an active part in the ranch, working side by side every day. The ranch was her pride and passion. She helped trail cows many miles while feeding a hungry crew, keeping up the home, and all the bookkeeping.Ginny liked the outdoors and enjoyed hiking. She climbed Bear Butte, Crazy Horse Mountain, and Harney Peak three times while living in western South Dakota. Ginny later returned to Viborg to be near her family.Ginny will be missed. She is survived by her children Paula Flint of Sioux Falls, Timothy (Tammy) Sorensen of Viborg, and Kay (Donald) Harwood of Crawford, NE; sister Shirley (Bill) Richardson of Rapid City; sister-in-law Adel Ackerman of Irene; eight grandchildren Dale Flint, Brad (Elise) Flint, Kristi Kooima, Laura (Aaron) Hybertson, Matt (Michelle) Sorensen, Heather (Carter) Jacobson, Cory (Cassidy) Harwood, and Andrew (girlfriend Rieley) Harwood; sixteen great-grandchildren Paige (Nolan) Merrill, Logan Kooima, Hannah Kooima, Audra Kooima, Travis Hybertson, Riley Hybertson, Kendra Hybertson, Troy Hybertson, Braxton Sorensen, Chloe Sorensen, Ellie Sorensen, Knoxon Jacobson, Gracynn Jacobson, Carly Harwood, Olivia Harwood, and Wyatt Harwood; and two great-great-grandchildren Mila and Easton Merrill.Ginny is preceded in death by her parents, husband Lorell, and sisters Gloria Nelson and Donna Mark.
