Virginia Thurnblad
Virginia Ellen White Thurnblad was born in Buffalo, New York, on November 5, 1926, to Thomas A. and Florence (Anderson) White. She attended LTHS High School in LaGrange, Illinois, and Carleton College receiving a B.A. in Zoology.
In high school, Jinny was very instrumental in the creation and success of the "Coral", a well known teenage social and recreation center in La Grange, Illinois. The Coral was known as one of the first and best teen centers in the country developed to get teens off the streets and give them a nice place to socialize in a positive environment.
Jinny was the Carleton College homecoming Queen in 1945. At Carleton, she was a class leader and for 61 years was the reunion chairperson for the class of 1948. In 1998, Jinny was awarded the exceptional service award from Carleton College and the Carleton Alumni Association for her long and dedicated service to the class of 1948 and Carleton College.
She married Jack Martin Thurnblad on June 5, 1948. Jinny raised three sons and a daughter. She taught her children to be hospitable, kind and caring toward others. She was a fabulous cook and loved to prepare food for others. She kept an immaculate household. She adored and admired her six grandchildren. She attended, cheered and applauded at countless sporting events and performing arts events while watching her children and grandchildren grow up.
She taught dance to hundreds of children in Hastings, Wayzata and Northfield, Minnesota (Jinny Thurnblad’s School of Dance). As an independent business woman, Jinny ran a very successful Shaklee distributorship for 20 years. She was a frequent volunteer for a wide variety of good causes.
For many decades, Jinny frequently entertained large groups of friends after Carleton sporting events -- especially members of Jack’s Carleton teams. She became well known, even legendary, for the exceptional food and drink she prepared for the guests and the manner in which she treated guests, who usually included sports participants, their parents, fans and friends of the family. She also frequently invited guests to stay at her home when they were in need, sometimes for months at a time. Jinny along with her husband Jack spent many hours as a fund raiser and ambassador for her beloved Carleton College.
On February 2, 2008, in a wonderful dedication ceremony, Carleton College officially named their West Gym basketball court in honor of Jinny and Jack Thurnblad. The new scoreboard in the gymnasium now reads "IN HONOR OF COACH JACK AND JINNY THURNBLAD". A bronze plaque also hangs on the wall of the gymnasium which includes their picture and reads :
THE THURNBLAD COURT
Dedicated February 2, 2008 in honor of the many contributions made by coach Jack ’49 and Jinny ’48 who together furthered the sport of basketball and the spirit of fair play at Carleton College and throughout the world. Naming this court was made possible by their players, fans, and friends.
Jinny passed away at home with her husband and family by her side on Friday evening, June 26, 2009, at the age of 82.
Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Jack; 4 children and their spouses: Marty and Georgia of Apple Valley, Tim of Apple Valley, Ted and Carleen of Northfield, Ann Marie and David Zirbes of Corcoran; 6 grandchildren: Tessie Thurnblad (Mark Kingsbury), Jack Thurnblad, Sidney, Virginia "Gigi", Paul and D’Artagnan Zirbes; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mary Jo Seversen.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, July, 1, 2009, at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield with Fr. Dennis Dempsey officiating. Music will be provided by Lawrence Henry. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Northfield. Casket bearers will be her children and grandchildren. Visitation will be 4-8PM Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral.
Memorials are preferred to the Jinny Thurnblad Memorial Fund which will be used for the dance program at Carleton College.
Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.
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Virginia Thurnblad
To Jack and family:
I'm saddened by Jinny's passing. I knew it was coming from what you told me at Carleton Reunion 2009. My codolences and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Eric Guttag
Carleton Class of 1974
Jinny will always be in our hearts....
It was a prviledge to meet Jack and Jinny some years ago in Mexico. They opened their hearts and their home for us We will always remember Jinny because of the beautiful soul and heart she had..... always so happy with a big smile.... always extending her hand to everybody who needed it.
Jinny is leaving this world but her path through life will remain forever in the hearts and minds of so many people who knew her. This farewell moment is a very sad one... all good byes are sad, especially when we were so lucky to meet such a great lady that carried wthin her so much beauty... but we shall always remember her sweetness, her cheerfull spirit and gentle manners.... the lovely details she had, wrapped in beautful ribbons.... and her love to all of us wrapped in a wonderful embrace.
Jinny, Now you can come often to Mexico without needing any airplanes.... our hearts will always be open to receive you .... and our minds will always remember you!
Max, Arturo and Esmeralda Prieto
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Méxco
Thank You for loving my mom/Apple Pie
To all of you who loved my mom:
First I want to tell you that I so enjoyed seeing everyone who came to say good-bye. All of you whom my mom shared with me have become a part of my life and it felt so good to have so many people around me who loved her.
Early in the day before my mom passesd, I went to the bakery to get something to feed my dad and my fellow classmate from St. Dominics' School insisted I take an Apple pie home for my dad "on the house". I cannot thank Suzie Klinkhammer and the Quality Bakery enough for what they did, in the spirit of Northfield and all of it's families. What a place to grow up and be able to come home to!!
Only hours later, my mom passed and I found myself with my dad, brothers, Father, the nurse and the Coroner at the kitchen table talking and planning. The only thing I could think of was to serve them apple Pie ala mode. So, in the spirit of my mom that's what I did and it felt so natural and good. That is exactly what she would have wanted and exactly what she wold have done. How many of you have had apple pie at her table?
Love, Ann Marie (612-709-5132)
Was my dancing teacher
I will always rememeber the dancing lessons my mom had taken me to and the dance recitals I was in. Ms. Ginny was the sweetest lady I knew who had so many patience with younger kids. I still remember some of the dance steps she taught me. My granddaugher took dance lessons for 5 years. Taking after her granny. She will be missed by a lot by so many people and my condoleance to the family for such a wonderful person.