---

  On March 29, 2025 Virginia Tostenson, 92, died peacefully with her daughter at her bedside. Virginia was born on Oct. 7, 1932 in Harding, MN. She was the second child born to William and Angeline (Froneak) Dembouski. After the family moved to a farm near Backus where she attended Hackensack grade school and then went to St. Francis High School in Little Falls, graduating in 1930. In 1954 she received her nursing degree from the sisters of St. Joseph School of Nursing.

   On November 3, 1956 she married Jerome Theodore Tostenson in Fargo, ND and they had four children. Virginia began her nursing career at the Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul. Later they moved back to the family farm where she continued nursing as the Backus School nurse.

   After her husband Jerry died on Apr. 1, 1972, Virginia continued to live in the Backus/Hackensack area . She became active with Sacred Heart Catholic Church and volunteered with the Council of Catholic Women, and spent numerous hours with their Rummage Room as well as the Hackensack CoOp. Her prayer leadership gained her the title “St. Virg”.

   She met Roy Davis, also of Hackensack, and they bonded forming a 40 year companionship. Roy had served four years during the Korean War and Virginia became an American Legion Auxiliary member of Post 368 in Backus and served at Post 202 in Hackensack. During her work at the Legion she became known as the “Margarita Lady” due to her tasty recipe.

   Beginning in 1985, Virgie and Roy managed camp grounds for nine years. First The Ponderosa just outside of Rochester, MN, then Akeley City Park on 11th Crow Wing Lake and finally one in Alamo, TX. Virgie loved wildlife and their home located on Oshwa Road, it provided an ideal location for feeding hummingbirds, cardinals, blue birds, oriels and of course deer. She had a green thumb growing a variety of indoor plants including: African violets, begonias, cacti, shamrocks and cyclamen.

   Proceeded in death by her parents William and Angeline Dembouski, husband Jerome, six siblings, her dear daughter Karen and Roy Davis. 

   Survived by daughter Kathleen Tlougen; 2 sons Kenneth Tostenson (Debra) and Kevin Tostenson (Beth); siblings Andrew, Raymond (Dawn) and Stanley Dembouski; 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

   Visitation and funeral Mass were held on Fri., Apr. 11 at Sacred Heart Church. Her burial plans are to be determined.

   Her family would like to say they are very grateful for all the cards, flowers & gifts of prayers to all that have shared their compassion. Our heartfelt thanks & blessing to you all from Virgie and her family.

---