Virginia Gail "Ginny" Engebretson

Ginny, 49, of Missoula, passed away Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, at St. Patrick Hospital following a short illness due to ovarian cancer.

Ginny was born Oct. 5, 1964, in Seattle. She attended Loyola Sacred Heart High School in Missoula and went on to study at the University of Montana and Missoula College.

She worked as a licensed practical nurse for many years at Riverside Health Care Center in Missoula. She was currently studying for her registered nursing degree.

Ginny recently taught herself to kayak and greatly enjoyed her time spent with this activity. She bought a second kayak so that others could join her with her new pastime. She was an accomplished knitter and enjoyed dying and spinning her own wool. Ginny enjoyed teaching others and was always patient. Ginny was truly successful with any endeavor. She was a free spirit with an ever-present "Mona Lisa" smile.

Ginny was just beginning to realize the rewards of her hard work and long hours and was closing on a new home for herself and her daughter when illness struck.

Ginny was a loving mother, daughter and sister. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and intelligent sense of humor. She leaves behind many people who loved her dearly and will miss her for the rest of their lives. Ginny has many friends across the country.

Survivors include her estranged husband, Robert Engebretson of Missoula; daughter, Ann Elizabeth "Liz" Engebretson; and parents, Glen and Martha Morris of Missoula. Ginny came from a large, loving family and leaves behind five siblings, Gail Crook of Missoula, Jeff Morris of Missoula, Dave Morris and family of Seattle, Larry Morris and family of Spokane, and Dan Morris and family of Seattle. Sibby Engebretson of Libby is a special friend and mother-in-law to Ginny. She has numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who will miss her.

Memorial services were held Monday, Aug. 19, at Garden City Funeral Home. The service was officiated by Chaplain Chuck Lee and included one of Ginny's favorite songs, "Bicycle Race" by Queen.

Ginny's family wishes to thank the nursing staff of St. Patrick Hospital 5 North, Mary who played the harp during Ginny's hospitalization and Hospice of Missoula. Anyone with memories of Ginny they wish to share is invited to email her family at remembering.ginny64@gmail.com.

Read Virginia Engebretson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.