Virginia M. 'Ginny' (Johnson) Uttley

Uttley, Virginia M. "Ginny" (Johnson) Often described as the sweetest and most selfless person you could hope to meet, Virginia shuffled off this mortal coil and left behind her adoring family and friends on October 7, 2024. Virginia was born on September 14, 1943, in Sisseton, South Dakota. She spent her early years on the family farm, the fourth of six children of Phillip and Helen Johnson. Following the devastating death of her father when she was nine, her family moved to a tiny home in the heart of Sisseton before leaving for Fargo, where she spent her high school years. Their strong family bond, deep faith, cheerful disposition, and determined no non-sense mother, carried Virginia and her siblings through those difficult times. In her twenties, Virginia - known to many as Ginny - ventured off to Minneapolis where she married. Following the birth of two sons, her family entered the Peace Corps and lived in Tunisia and Morocco for a time before returning to plant their roots in Bryn Mawr. After several years as a dedicated homemaker, the devoted wife and loving mother developed severe rheumatoid arthritis and brain fog. Despite the pain and difficulties caused by her afflictions, Ginny persevered and not only raised her boys with compassion, humor, and heart, she furthered her education and entered the workplace. After stints at Prudential and Century 21, the warmhearted, self-effacing mom established a career at the Star Tribune where she worked in a bustling call center taking classified ads in an era when such printed advertising was so popular it could fill 100 pages on the busiest days. Never one to complain to others of her troubles, Ginny was grateful for the many coworkers who befriended her over the 25 years she spent contributing to the state's leading newspaper, while toiling away on the keyboard with her ailing fingers. Virginia's unwillingness to share her burdens with others was evident her entire life. She not only rarely spoke of her pain, or other ailments, she would feign disinterest in the simplest things so as not to risk inconveniencing those she loved. If she was low on milk or other essentials, she claimed she didn't need them picked up yet. If she needed help cutting her fingernails, she pretended it wasn't time. If it was her birthday, she insisted on no gifts, even though it was no secret she loved them no matter what they turned out to be. Her kind and conscientious nature led Ginny to always focus on the happiness and well-being of those she loved, rather than herself, including that of her four granddaughters of whom she was fiercely proud. She took an active interest in the lives of her family and offered support and advice without being judgmental or critical. She cherished talking to her siblings and staying connected to their lives and those of their respective families, with whom she maintained close relationships with. When her mother and eldest sister ran into challenges late in life, she brought them to town so she could watch over them, ignoring her own needs as she was wont to do. Although Virginia managed to reduce her inflammation and reverse the fog that had long clouded her mind following an elimination-based dietary change in her fifties, the arthritis continued to enact a toll. Nevertheless, her mind grew so sharp as she aged that she could recall even the smallest details regarding the lives of her family, which she often used to vivid effect to show off her endless love and adoration. While arthritis eventually claimed her life, remarkably, she remained a beacon of light and positivity until her final days. Virginia's spirit was inspiring to those fortunate enough to know her. She will be missed more than words can express. Virginia was preceded in death by parents Phillip Stanley and Helen Aasta Johnson (Anderson), uncles Olaf and George Anderson, brothers Neal and Gailon Johnson, and sisters Nellene Johnson and Phyllis Percival. She is survived by sons Tony (Lesley Flaten) and Jason; granddaughters Hannah (Colin) Liphart, Gracie, Leah and Jaiden; brother Paul (Liz) Johnson; nieces Joy (Terrell) Clark, Christy (Mark) Jacobson, Sheila (Calvin) Crouse, and Shelly Viator; nephews Ryan (Erin) Johnson and Doug (Neisha) Percival; as well as her many friends, caretakers and servers at the Hayden Grove and Haven Homes Senior Living communities. Private family memorial to follow.

Published on October 20, 2024