Virginia Harper Knerr

Knerr, Virginia (Ginny), age 84, passed away on April 25, 2023. She was born January 7, 1939, in Dayton, Ohio to parents, Harper Stewart and Beatrice Anderson, both of Westport, Indiana. She graduated from Kendallville High School in Kendallville, Indiana, and then earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Indiana University. At IU, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta and Mu Phi Epsilon fraternities and sang with the touring group and USO troop, The Belles of Indiana. Later, she earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There, in 1972, she married Edwin Jacob Knerr from Providence, Rhode Island.

Virginia taught classroom music in elementary and middle schools in Indianapolis and Minneapolis. After post-graduate work in elementary education, she spent many years teaching first grade in Fort Wayne and Minneapolis, with the last 19 years at St. Stephens School in Anoka, Minnesota. While teaching, she stayed involved with music playing piano, singing, and leading choirs through school and church responsibilities. She also taught piano lessons to students after school hours, put together numerous student recitals, and was a piano accompanist for her daughter.

Ginny moved with her husband to a rural area of Milaca, Minnesota in 2006. She greatly enjoyed volunteering for organizations in the community. Ginny was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Current Events Club, Friends of the Library, the Milaca Fine Arts Center, and the Milaca Area Historical Society.

Ginny spent her last years with Ed at Arbor Lakes Senior Living, Maple Grove; Chardon Court Senior Apartments, New Hope; and Amira Choice, Plymouth.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, father, and mother. She is survived by her daughter, Carrie Ehn (Jeffrey); son, Jake Knerr (Julie); grandsons, Connor, Tristan, Felix, and Calvin; sister, Belle Long; niece, Kristin Long; and nephew, Michael Long.

There will be a private burial at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.