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Virginia E. Kjolhede died peacefully at the McLaren Community Hospital on Saturday April 9, 2016. Virginia was born on August 26, 1923 in Wamego, KS. Her parents were Neville T. Larson and Marion Kraft Larson. “Ginger” grew up in Wamego and graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in dietetics. She met her husband to be while he was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas during WWII. They married December 21, 1947 and were married 60 years. They moved to Michigan and started their family and careers in 1951. After they moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1955, she became the dietitian at CMCH. As a professional dietitian, she was honored as Dietitian of the Year for Michigan in 1978. She then became a consulting dietitian and was elected President of the Michigan Dietetics Association. She also taught at Central Michigan University in dietetics. She was also the first female President (5 years) and 12 year School Board Member of Mt. Pleasant Board of Education. She was selected as “Citizen of the Year” for Mt. Pleasant in 1979. She was a member of many philanthropic groups and had a special “hugging location” for those leaving FUMC.

Ginger was a friend to all that she came in contact with and was always there for those that were alone and or lonely. Both she and Ted were active in the Stephen Ministries and also had an open heart and an open house for international students at CMU.

She is survived by her four boys: Chris Larson Kjolhede and wife Celeste (Fly Creek, NY), Theodore Barton Kjolhede and wife Patty (Laingsburg, MI), Robert Jay Kjolhede and wife Patti (Belding, MI) and James Andrew Kjolhede and wife Kristine (Colleyville, TX). Additionally, she is survived by 9 grandchildren, Kelly Kjolhede (Mt. Pleasant, MI), Jamie Jones and husband Andy (Louisville, KY), Nick and wife Rachel Kjolhede (Denver, CO), Caitlyn Kjolhede (Boston, MA), Curtis James Kjolhede (Denver, CO), Lauren Allyson Kjolhede (Ft. Worth, TX), Jared and Savannah Kjolhede (Colleyville, TX). Her great grandchildren are Justice McKenna and Kaden Alexander Kjolhede (Mt. Pleasant, MI), Samantha Grace and Zachary Andrew Jones (Louisville, KY) and soon-to-be Teddy B. Kjolhede (Denver, CO). She was predeceased by daughter Lucinda Lee Kjolhede, husband Ted, and Granddaughter Annaliese.

In lieu of flowers, the family offers the following groups for donation consideration: First United Methodist Church, Mt. Pleasant, MI, Pardee Cancer Treatment Center, Mt. Pleasant, MI, or donor’s choice.

A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan at 1:00 P.M. April 15, 2016, with Pastor Diane Gordon officiating. A luncheon in the Fellowship Hall will follow the service. Visiting hours will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thursday April 14, 2016.

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