Virginia Jean Scheel

Virginia Scheel, 92, of Fargo, ND, died Monday, September 26, 2016, at Essentia Health in Fargo.

Virginia Jean Joistad, daughter of Dr. Arthur and Hilda (Eiken) Joistad, was born September 11, 1924 at Fargo, ND. After graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1942, she went to Vassar College, graduating in 1945. She studied for one year at the University of Chicago School of Social Work.

Virginia married Frederick Scheel on November 16, 1946, in Fargo. They travelled the world together for 50 years, pursuing possible photos and enjoying nature and wildlife. When they travelled, while Fred was looking for things to photograph, Virginia often spent her time looking for new birds. With her good friend, Beth Anderson, she took guided tours designed for “birders”. She climbed the Grand Teton Mountain with Fred and his brothers. Years later, her oldest son, Steve, called to say he was “on top of the Grand Teton and it’s a beautiful morning”.

The backyard of their first home was popular with all of the neighborhood children. It had good tree limbs for climbing. Virginia served birthday cakes and many celebrations were held. They took their children to visit Medora to see the wild life, Yellowstone National Park, out to the Oregon-California coast, and up into Canada.

Fred died July 30, 2011 at Elim Care Center, Fargo.

Virginia took great pride in her work with The Village Family Service Center. Virginia was elected the first President of the Board of Directors for the Village as they worked to develop programs and community support. Many different people have been board members and lent their talents to serve the area through the organization. In 2008, there had been 82,041 people served.

She enjoyed her friendships in Art Section and Sports Section of Fine Arts, University Women, and Junior League of Fargo/Moorhead. She worked with other volunteers helping to organize the Family Service Association. The main thrust of her later years was spent teaching Sunday school and Adult Bible Studies at First Lutheran Church. She worked with global missions, founding a Lutheran church in Madagascar with her husband, Fred. Wednesday Prayer Groups, and Order of St. Luke healing services were amongst her other mission involvements. She loved the Lord, Jesus.

Virginia is survived by sons, Steve (Eileen) Scheel, Moorhead, MN; Frank (Carol) Scheel, Richfield, MN; and daughter, Rebecca Harrington, Fargo, ND; six grandchildren, Steve (Tiffany) Scheel, Fargo, ND; Brandon (Kim) Scheel, Mankato, MN; Stacy (Matthew) Davis, Detroit Lakes, MN; Christina (Byron) Snider, Fargo, ND; Susanne (Robert) Eleazer, New York City, NY; and Jessie (David) Kolness, Williston, ND; sixteen great-grandchildren, Branden, Hunter, and Miranda Scheel, Fargo, ND; Megan, Luke, and Madelyn Rose Scheel, Mankato, MN; Ruthy, William, Clara and Teddy Davis, Detroit Lakes, MN; Katelyn, Liam, Sawyer, and Joy Kolness, Williston, ND; and Charlie Douglas and Carolina Snider, Fargo, ND; in-laws, Chuck (Francie) Scheel, Carefree, AZ; Kay (Don) Norem, Bozeman, MT; Bob Scheel, Fargo, ND; and Pat Scheel Crary, Fargo, ND.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; parents; brother, Dr. Arthur Joistad (and his wife, Catherine); and sister, Ruth.

Memorials are preferred to The Village Family Service Center in Fargo or Global Missions at First Lutheran Church in Fargo.