Virginia P. “Ginger” Bishop, 88, of Blooming Prairie, died Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Prairie Manor Care Center, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Virginia Pearl Hunter was born Jan. 13, 1924, in Blooming Prairie to Harold A. and Pearl L. (Clark) Hunter. She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1941. On April 6, 1946, Virginia married Benjamin Bishop in Milo, Iowa. Before their marriage while Bennie served in the military, Ginger worked for Douglas Aircraft in the Defense Plant in Des Plaines, Ill. as a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ until 1946. After owning a café in Des Moines, Iowa until 1948, the couple returned to the Blooming Prairie area and started farming with her parents. Their farming operation is still carried on by their two sons. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Blooming Prairie, Ginger enjoyed working at the church and was involved in Ladies Fellowship. She loved baking cookies for her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved having them visit her. Bennie passed away Oct. 11, 2009. They were married for 63 years.

Survivors include her sons, Wayde (Judy) Bishop and Craig (Janie) Bishop, both of Blooming Prairie; six grandchildren, Amy (Matthew) Potter of Waseca, Eric (Becky) Bishop of Shakopee, Benji (Nicki) Bishop of Blooming Prairie, Andrea (Bret) Nielsen of Minneapolis, Ellie (Jason) Fate of Blooming Prairie, Adam (Kristin) Bishop of Blooming Prairie; 10 great grandchildren: Hannah, Isaac, Sophia, Hunter, Lucas, Teagan, Riauna, Carter, Dylan, Brody; three sisters, Eileen Lindquist and Harriet Kruckeberg, both of Blooming Prairie, and Sharon (Dean) Christianson of Blackduck, Minn. She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Pearl; her husband Bennie; two brothers-in-law, Spencer Lindquist and Hermie Kruckeberg.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Blooming Prairie with Reverend Matthew Fennell officiating. Friends may call at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 16, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be in Blooming Prairie Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.