Dr. Hildegard J. "Hilde" Virnig
September 20, 1925 – February 17, 2019
Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Dr. Hildegard J. “Hilde” Virnig, 93, of St. Cloud and formerly of Caledonia will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 22, 2019 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Reverend Thomas Knoblach will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery, Pierz, MN. Hilde passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Country Manor Care Center in Sartell.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and after 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud. Parish prayers will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
Hilde was born September 20, 1925 in Pierz, Minnesota to Leo and Ida (Sauer) Virnig. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Parochial School, Little Falls High School and the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1948. Hilde received her M.D. in 1949 after completing her one-year internship. Hilde was a highly respected and beloved Physician in Caledonia, MN for over 40 years. Hilde married Dr. Neil Norris in Caledonia, where he also was a physician and he passed away after eight years of marriage. Hilde was active with the Caledonia Rotary Club and Historical Society. She also attended many Medical Conferences to keep her knowledge current. Hilde moved to Sartell in 2013 to be closer to family after suffering an injury. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Parish after her move.
Hilde enjoyed traveling, good coffee, shopping and fashion. She will be remembered as having a love for her patients and in return their love for her. She also will be fondly remembered by family for her love and generosity.
Hilde is survived by her siblings, Morris Virnig, DDS of Sartell, Josephine Stannard of Farmington and Dr. Norm (Kathleen) Virnig of St. Cloud; stepchild, Kathy Norris of Oregon; nieces and nephews, Paula, Katie and Martha Stannard; Dawn, Joy, Matthew, Timothy and Thomas Virnig; and 22 great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepson, Dr. Tom Norris; niece, Mary Virnig; and nephews, Rick Virnig and Robert Ariel.
A heartfelt thank you to Country Manor Campus and CentraCare Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
Memorials are preferred to the Houston County Historical Society in Caledonia or the Leo and Ida Virnig Program of Preventable Disease at the University of Minnesota.
Guestbook
Hilde was my step-grandmother. She was a lovely, warm and kind lady. She meant a lot to me throughout my life. I will miss her.
Hilde was my step-grandmother. She was a lovely, warm and kind lady. She meant a lot to me throughout my life. I will miss her.
I worked as an RN in Caledonia in the 1970’s and had the privilege of working with Dr. Virnig(Hilde). She was also our family physician. She practiced the art as well as the science of medicine with great compassion. I learned much from her example and will always remember her fondly. My deepest sympathies to her family
In the late ’50 my mother and I rolled an old Plymouth on the icy road near the Elmer Theis farm. A Sealtest truck driver took us home to Eitzen. Soon after Dr. Virnig showed up at our house to stitch up a gash in my knee and all was good. Such a gentle soul with a gigantic heart full of love. Questions remain unanswered. Who called her? How did she get there?
Please accept my condolences. It is a very sad/emotional time when our love ones sleep in death. I hope you find comfort in the words found in John 5:28-29 and look forward to the day where we can hug our loved ones again. This is a promise from the God that does not lie and that promises to wipe all tears of pain Revelation 21:3-4. For more comforting thoughts, please visit www.jw.org.
I fell at my Grandparents home in Eitzen,MN. on Christmas day in 1965 and required stitches at the Caledonia, MN. hospital. Dr. Hilde placed the stitches and her brother Norman was studying to be a physician and was also there. Years later I worked with Dr. N. Virnig in a St. Paul hospital. While visiting Caledonia over the years I heard nothing but kind words said about Dr. H. from both her patients and staff members she worked with.
Loved and trusted her.
Even as a young child I was in awe of Dr. Virnig-one of few women doctors at the time. She was so kind, knowledgeable and energetic. I was also fortunate to have her as my obgyn doctor for both my pregnancies. I count her as one of my role models growing up in the Caledonia area–back in the day. She was the best and so giving of her time and talent within the community
To the Virnig family, I am sad to hear of her passing. Deepest sympathy to the family. She was a wonderful doctor.
I remember talking to her at my mothers funeral. She still had cold hands.
Dr. Virnig delivered both my husband and my two sons. I will never forget her kind and friendly manner. Even after she retired she would stop on the street to visit. Rest in piece, Dr. Virnig!
My mother, Leota Rollins, was a nurse at the Caledonia hospital for over 40 years. She had the privilege of working with both Dr Virnig and Dr Norris. Leota passed in October of 2017 but she always spoke highly of Dr Virnig and respected her greatly. Truly a legend in the community.