Virginia Caroline Moren Tofte
passed away on Monday, February 8, 2010 at the age of 92, just two days before her 93rd birthday, at the Barross House in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Virginia was born to Richard and Mable (Loranger) Moren on February 10, 1917 and grew up in Bovey, Minnesota. She graduated from Greenway High School in 1935. On May 31, 1941 she married John Tofte, Jr. “Casey” and they lived in Tofte, Minnesota where they raised three children.
She was an excellent cook and had a successful restaurant for many years. She was active in music and the arts, having sung in many productions and served on the State Music Board. She attended Art Colony classes, became known for her watercolor landscapes, and won a Rural Artist Award for an oil portrait.
Virginia received her bachelor’s degree from UMD in 1970. Aftergraduation she taught business classes at Cook County High School.
She and her husband shared a deep love of the North Shore and all it offered, especially the berry picking, fishing, gardening, camping, and skiing. She loved sharing all of her interests and talents with her grandchildren who have fond memories of their many baking and art classes with Nana. You could always count on cookies in the cookie jar, jam and jelly on the shelf, and goodies in the freezer when you went to Nana’s and Boppa’s.
Much of her art hangs in the homes of those who loved her and serves as a constant reminder of just how talented she was.
In 1997 Virginia and Casey moved to Duluth where she continued to reside after his death in 2003. In 2007 Virginia moved to Barross House in Two Harbors, where she resided until her death.
Virginia was preceded in death by her loving husband John “Casey,” her parents, her four brothers, and grandson, Paul Lockwood.
She is survived by her three children, John (Nancy) Tofte, Thief River Falls, Minnesota; Mary (David) Lockwood, Arden Hills, Minnesota; and Richard (Patty) Tofte, Two Harbors, Minnesota; nine grandchildren, Heidi (Todd) Bergland, Mark (Amy) Lockwood, Aaron Tofte, Maria Lockwood, Anne (Cory) Jackson, Beth Tofte, Kevin “Casey” Lockwood, Joe Tofte and Peter Tofte; 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
May her memory be blessed.
Memorial Mass was held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, February 12, 2010 in Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 227 3rd St., Two Harbors, MN.
Services entrusted to Cremation Society of MN.
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