Virginia Maryanne Merrill (Terry), September 12, 1933 – January 23, 2026. Preceded in death by loving and devoted husband, Kenneth F. Merrill; beloved daughter, Patricia Ann Terry; parents, Elizabeth and George J. Zollner; sisters, Arlene Carroll, Ruth Larkey, Ramona Speltz; brother, George N. Zollner; Survived by son, James Edson Terry, III (Connie); sister-in-law, Dorothy Zollner; grandchildren, Jessamine Steinworth Baker (Ryan), James Edson Terry, IV, Diane McGinnity (Jamus), J. Joseph Steinworth (Annelise), Elizabeth Holmes (Chris); great granddaughters, Grace Josephine Baker, Rose Virginia Baker; Jimmy Ryan (Patricia’s former fiancé); Ken’s daughters, Jo Ann Copeland (Chuck), Sandra Merrill; many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

 

Virginia was born in Fairfax, Minnesota and spent most of her life in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.  After retirement she lived in Crosslake and Florida.  She retired after 33 years from First Trust Company of St. Paul (U S Bank), after having achieved the rank of Senior Vice President.  She then joined Norwest Bank of Minneapolis (Wells Fargo) as Vice President from which she retired in 1995.  She also held the rank of President of Norwest Trust Company of New York.  Among her accomplishments were first female officer at First Bank System; first female and first non-New Yorker to be elected as President of the National Securities Transfer Association during which time she worked with the SEC, the IRS and other organizations to establish and clarify securities rules and procedures.  She was also President and Director of the Midwest Securities Transfer Association.  She participated in local affairs as Chairman of the White Bear Lake Planning and Zoning and the Lake Conservation District, also co-founder of the PAL Foundation of Crosslake.  She loved reading, scrabble, fishing, traveling, playing cards and time with friends.  She enjoyed designing and decorating homes.  Virginia considered her most important accomplishments to be her family, and the joy she shared with her beloved Ken during their 24 years of marriage. 

 

On February 3, There will be a visitation beginning at 11am, and at 12pm, there will be a funeral service at Hiers-Baxley in the Villages, with a reception to follow. An inurnment at Ft. Snelling National cemetery is to take place at a date later to be determined. 

A Celebration of Life will also take place at an as yet undetermined date.

 

Memorials may be made to Camp Knutson or the PAL Foundation in Crosslake, Minnesota.