Virginia A. Pennington, 99, Minot formerly of the Fargo area, died Sunday, August 14, 2011, in a Minot nursing home.

Virginia was born July 20, 1912, in Belfield, ND to Samuel and Clara "Belle" (King) Galyen. She was raised and educated in Belfield until her family moved to Fargo, ND. She graduated from Fargo Senior High School in 1929.

Virginia was united in marriage to Leonard Pennington on October 13, 1931 in Fargo. They made their home near Barney, ND where they farmed with his father until assuming farming operations in Colfax, ND. They raised small grains in the valley for many years until 1963, when they moved into Fargo.

Virginia was employed as a cook at Elim Nursing Home and later Dakota Hospital until her retirement. Leonard passed away on November 12, 1979. She moved to Minot in 2000.

Virginia attended Bible studies through Grace Fellowship Church of Burlington, ND and was a charter member of the First Assembly of God in Fargo, where she taught Sunday school and girls missionettes. She was also a past member of the Church of God in Fargo, where she was a Sunday school teacher. Virginia was an accomplished seamstress. She played piano and was known to spend lots of time in her garden. Virginia will be missed deeply by all who shared in her life.

Virginia is survived by her children, Marcene (Lamar) Kyle, Hemet, CA, Daryl (Betty) Pennington, Bismarck, ND, Carmen (Floyd) Lien, Minot, Brian (Gay Paulson) Pennington, Billings, MT and Galen (Debbie) Pennington, Casper, WY; Thirteen Grandchildren; Twenty-six Great-Grandchildren and Twenty Great-Great Grandchildren.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leonard, son, Virgil, grandson, Robert Pennington and brother, Byron Galyen.

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2011, at Grace Fellowship Church, Burlington.
Interment: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 20, 2011 in Antelope Cemetery, rural Mooreton, ND
Visitation: Thursday, August 18, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.