Virginia Ellison, 76, of Garrison, ND passed away on March 24, 2026, in Fargo, North Dakota surrounded by loving family.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Garrison, ND. Rosary will be at 1:00 PM prior to the service.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison, ND.

Burial will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Virginia Rose was born November 18, 1949, to Verne and Alice (Ross) Olson of Bowbells. She grew up on the farm southwest of Bowbells. She went to school in Bowbells and graduated from high school. She was in 4-H for many years, learning to cook, gardening and sewing.

Her mother Alice passed away when she was 11 years old. Her dad Verne later married Eleanor Funk. Virginia graduated from Joe's Hairstyling in Minot. She worked at Vee's Beauty shop for about a year. Then moving to Garrison, where her sister Ramona was. Virgina worked at Mi Lady's Beauty Shop in Garrison.

She met the love of her life Terry Ellison at a dance while he was on leave from the Marines. They corresponded while he was away. They got married on October 21, 1972. They lived on the farm west of Garrison. Where they raised cows, horses, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats and five kids: Stephanie, Keith, Pamela, Jennifer and Thomas. She quit working outside the home and raised her five kids while also tending to her animals and garden.

Virginia loved to bake, cook, sewing, quilting, sewing rugs, knitting, gardening, canning and butchering. She was a 4-H leader when her three girls were in 4-H and religion teacher when her kids were in school. She was a member of Ann's Ladies Aid and a member of St. Nicholas Church. She also attended church at Sacred Heart Church in White Shield. She loved having family get togethers at home until the family got too big. Then they would get together at the lake and swim, boat, play games and do crafts.

She worked 28 years at Benedictine Nursing Home first as a CNA for 12 years then laundry, housekeeping and dietary aide. She also cut hair for the residents.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Verne and Alice Olson; stepmom, Eleanor Olson; nephew, Verne Ellison; son-in-law, Lyle Gjovig; her husband Terry passed shortly before her.

She is survived by her children, Stephanie Gjovig, Keith Ellison, Pamela (Jeremy) Kolden, Jennifer (Galen) Grote, Thomas (Jensi) Ellison; siblings, Ramona Ellison, Lori (Daren) Goodman, Tammy (Albert) Cannard; grandkids, Dylan (Amber) Eckert, Harley (Adam) McDonald, Logan & Brady Eckert, Cayli (Cyrus) Smith, Casyn & Clay Kolden, Emily (David) and Erika Grote, Oakley & Ryker Ellison, Ariel (Kennon) Kirk and Andrew Gjovig; Great-Grandchildren, Sarah, Lucas, Natalie and Riley Eckert, Micah & Esther McDonald, Lakken & Gemma Kirk.