Virginia “Ginny’ Zobel January 18, 1935 – October 25, 2024

By Jason Frederick | August 21, 2025 |

Ginny was born at the family farm north of Culbertson on January 18, 1935. She died peacefully with her husband by her side at her home in Minnetonka, Minnesota on October 25, 2024, three months shy of her 90th birthday. Ginny attended District Two Elementary Country School for eight years – a mile and a quarter up the steep hill in the morning and back in the afternoon. She attended four years of high school in Culbertson. A favorite memory of Country School was recess, watching the GI’s at the McCook Air Base jump from the planes. She couldn’t see the GI’s but watched the chutes open and flow to the ground eight or nine miles east of the school. In high school Ginny participated in everything she could – cheerleader for four years, every music program – choir, band, accordion band – based in McCook; piano, class plays, 4H and chosen to be at Girls State. Ginny attended college at Westmar in LeMars, Iowa, where she completed a two-year teaching program. She continued her interest in music, singing with the college choirs, playing several instruments in the band. She was elected as a cheerleader for college football and basketball teams. Ginny also worked as a waitress in the college dining room where she earned the grand sum of thirty cents an hour. The charge for a college education was only $800 for board, room, tuition and books for the whole school year. Ginny married Walt Zobel on August 21, 1954 at the Methodist Church in Dysart, Iowa. Ginny had signed a contract to teach first grade in Holdrege, so they moved to that lovely city. Ginny wanted to finish her four-year degree so the young couple moved back to LeMars where she taught second grade for three years and took college classes in the evenings, weekends and a few summer courses. Several college friends from Minnesota wanted Ginny and Walt to visit them before they decided where to settle down. The couple visited, liked what they saw and 67 years later are still in Minnesota. Ginny joined the Robbinsdale School District and spent 35 more years as a teacher and assistant principal. Ginny loved the children and her face would light up whenever she encountered a child. Ginny always had flower gardens with vegetables for family and others. She enjoyed working at the Berry Patch, 40 acres of pick-your-own berries, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries that they owned with friends. Ginny taught Sunday School for many years. Sang in church choirs and filled in for the regular organist when she needed. She loved to play the old hymns on her piano at home. Ginny belonged to a number of educational groups and church groups for many years. She learned many life lessons fellowshipping with her many friends. Thank you all. Ginny was preceded in death by her grandparents, Adam and Mary Ross and Chester and Bessie Roberts; her parents, Daniel and Vesper Ross; brothers, Paul and Robert Ross and an infant sister; aunts and uncles, Harry and Gladys Godtel and Don and Norma Hill. Survivors include her husband, Walt Zobel; sister-in-law, Joylyn Ross and brothers- in-law, Robert and Richard Zobel; first generation nieces and nephews, Kirt and Cindy Ross, Karma and Kevin Rousselle, Kindra and Alan Oberg and many second and third-generation family members. A graveside service for Ginny will be held at Culbertson Cemetery on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 10:30 AM with Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.