Virginia Mae Clark

Virginia Clark, age 83, of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Hastings Senior Health and Living Augustana.

Virginia was born on September 11, 1942, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Glen and Mildred Thompson. She was raised on a farm outside of Wanamingo, Minnesota, the youngest of three children. Growing up on the farm, she developed a lifelong love for animals and was known to make pets of nearly every farm animal around including pigs, cows, rabbits, and dogs. She was active in 4 H and enjoyed music from an early age, often playing the organ and piano and singing at church.

Virginia first married Darrell Larson in 1959 in Iowa. Together they began raising their family. Later in life, on August 22, 1981, Virginia married Gene Clark, and together they shared more than 44 years of marriage filled with family, faith, and many shared interests.

Virginia dedicated more than 36 1/2 years of her professional life working as an administrative assistant for Marsh McLennan Insurance, where she was known for her reliability, kindness, and strong work ethic.

She had a deep love for horses and spent many years enjoying horse shows and camping trips with family centered around that passion. Virginia was actively involved in the horse community and was a member of both the Dakota County Mounted Patrol and the Minnesota State Fair Mounted Patrol.

After moving to Hastings in 1963, Virginia became a longtime member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church, where she was active in quilting and church activities. She also volunteered at the Hastings Senior Center and with the Hastings Women’s Auxiliary.

Virginia was an excellent baker and cook and took great pride in her home and yard, which were always beautifully kept. She was sweet, loving, kind, and friendly to everyone she met, and those closest to her appreciated her playful and sometimes mischievous sense of humor.

Virginia is survived by her children, Kimberleen (James) Roberts, Debbie (Bob) Buchardt, and Cindy (Erik) Bergmanis; her grandchildren, Jacque (John) Nordahl, Lindsey (Lance) Lisowski, Justin (Mercedes) Buchardt, Amy Larson, Kelli (Josh) Adams, Jenna (Pat) DeBaere, Andrea (Matt) Nord, Jared (Claudia) Buchardt, Samantha (Adrian) Gerard, Robbie (Tori) Rowe, Maddie Rowe, Jake Bergmanis, and Jenna Bergmanis; 24 great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Clark; her first husband, Darrell Larson; her son, Dallas Larson; her sister, Glennis Gordon; and her brother, Melroy Thompson.

A celebration of life for Gene and Virginia will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 400 W 9th St, Hastings, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service. A reception will follow the service at the church, with burial held at Lakeside Cemetery. 

Arrangements are being handled by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.