I was blessed to know Dr. and Mrs. Virnig and family for my entire life. And however lovely it is that she is reunited up in heaven now with Dr. Virnig and her beloved son, Thomas, I’m still so sad Mrs. Virnig is no longer with us. So many wonderful memories of our family gatherings on Pinehurst and then out in the country there a bit in that gorgeous house with that wonderful pool. We never really made it up to St. Cloud as much, but the phone was nearly just as good. And in the last number of years, I was truly blessed to have many a private chat with Mrs. Virnig about the state of the world, the Catholic faith, and our lives. I miss her laugh and her slight but always-there NY accent, imploring me to smile more and to love life as the gift it is, even with so much darkness in the world. I cherish our friendship and I greatly miss her wisdom and love. God bless.
Kathleen Virnig
May 14, 1944 – December 19, 2023
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud, MN for Kathleen Virnig age 79 of St. Cloud. She died on December 19, 2023 at Quiet Oaks Hospice at St. Augusta, MN. The Reverend Thomas Knobloch will be the celebrant. Entombment will be at Assumption Mausoleum in St. Cloud. Visitation will be from 4 P.M.to 6 P.M. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud with Parish Prayers at 4 P.M. and visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Kathleen was born on May 14, 1944 in Brooklyn N.Y., the daughter of William and Sarah (McDonnell) O’Brien. She grew up in Brooklyn the youngest of six children. She graduated from Bishop McDonald High School in Brooklyn in 1961 and Kings County School of Nursing where she earned her Registered Nursing degree. She later met her husband-to-be while working in the Emergency Room at Kings County Hospital. She was united in marriage to Norman L. Virnig on October 7, 1967 at St. Aidan’s Catholic Church on Long Island, NY.
In 1968, they moved to St. Paul, MN where Norman practiced medicine and Kathleen raised their five children. Kathleen went back to College at St. Thomas University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Minored in Philosophy and German. The couple made their way to St. Cloud, MN from 1995 to 2014. Here the couple opened a small business called Archangel Books and Gifts. Kathleen wanted to share her Catholic faith with the people of St. Cloud. She was very active in the prolife movement, her faith, and the promotion of the Rosary.
Eucharistic Adoration was also very important to her, and she frequently prayed between the hours of 1 AM and 3 AM. She helped start the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at St. Anthony’s in St. Cloud. The pastors at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (Father Robert Harren and Father Thomas Knobloch) were like family to Kathleen and Norman.
She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and was the coordinator of their Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.
In addition to her parents; she is preceded in death by, her husband Norman this past February; one son Thomas in 2019; three sisters, Peggy, Loretta, and Patricia and one brother Billy.
She is survived by; her four children, Dawn Virnig, Joy (Doug, MD) Brew, Matthew (Linda) Virnig, and Timothy (Erin) Virnig; 16 grandchildren; one sister, Barbara Arato; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Guestbook
Since as early as I can remember, Kathleen has been a loving part of my life. She, Norm and my parents shared a beautiful friendship. As I got older, I was blessed with one too! She will be deeply missed. Much love to all the Virnigs.
What a wonderful woman. Simply remarkable in courage and unflappable determination.
I met Kathleen while entering the Adoration Chapel at St Anthony Catholic church. She encouraged me to take up an hour of adoration. She helped me find good catholic books at Archangel bookstore. Rest in peace faithful friend of God!
How sweet is the Odor of Sancity of saintly souls who promote the Kingdom of Heaven [Kathy & Norm] via Family, the Catholic Faith [Catholic Bookstores too], Our Lady & the Rosary, and especially Eucharistic Adoration w/Don & Joanne.
Adoration of our Savior will live on for many souls as a result of your dedication to the Real Presence of Christ whom you promoted so devoutely, and of which the Lord indicated boldly several times in the BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE , “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”
Thank you so very much …….. hope to see you again on the other side of time in our True Home in Heaven as you pass through the final stage of your journey to the Eternal Paradise of the Presence of God.
“O Good and Faithful Servant, enter into the Master’s Joy.”
Services
Schedule Details
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud, MN for Kathleen Virnig age 79 of St. Cloud. She died on December 19, 2023 at Quiet Oaks Hospice at St. Augusta, MN. The Reverend Thomas Knobloch will be the celebrant. Entombment will be at Assumption Mausoleum in St. Cloud. Visitation will be from 4 P.M.to 6 P.M. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud with Parish Prayers at 4 P.M. and visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.