Dr. Virginia H. Geesaman, 100, longtime Minot music educator, died Monday, December 12, 2016 at her residence in The View.

Virginia was born September 3, 1916 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Herman and Rose Mae (Hess) Ohmann. She was raised and educated at Cedar Rapids graduating from high school there. She furthered her education at Coe College, receiving a Bachelors degree in Music Education. In addition, she received her Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Iowa in 1969.

Virginia was united in marriage to Leo Geesaman on June 25, 1952 at Cedar Rapids. She taught violin and piano privately in Cedar Rapids for a number of years. She later served on the music faculty at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, before joining the music faculty at Minot State University in 1969. Leo died April 13, 1976. Virginia continued to teach at Minot State University until retiring in 1986.

Virginia was a member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Minot, where she served the congregation as the organist for more than 40 years. She was also a member of the Minot Symphony, serving as Concert Master for 19 years. She served on the MENC State Board, Minot Symphony Board, Minot Chamber Chorale Board and Western Plains Opera Board. She was a member and past president of the Minot AAUW, member and past president of the Delta Kappa Gamma and member of PEO Chapter AG.

Virginia was proud and honored to be the first recipient of the ND American String Teachers Association Award she received in 1991 for her service to string education. In 1993, she was awarded the MSU Distinguished Lifetime Educator Award for recognition of outstanding contributions to MSU during employment and after retiring. In 1997, she received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for the Fine Arts Category. In 2002, Virginia was elected to the ND Music Educators Hall of Fame. A year later, she was named a recipient of the MSU Music Award in recognition for musical leadership at MSU.

Virginia is survived by: step daughter, Jean Geesaman (J. Paxton) Hart of Eugene, OR; daughter in law, Arlene Geesaman, Cedar Rapids, IA and 10 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leo and step-sons, John and Robert Geesaman.

Funeral service : Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. in Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday, December 14th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Minot Symphony Association or Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.