Submitted by: Dan Rich

Virginia Rose Belsaas

Jan. 20, 1926 - Jan. 9, 2003

South Bend Tribune 1-22-2003

Virginia Rose (Hooton) Belsaas, 76, of New Carlisle, Indiana, died January 9, 2003, in the Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen, Texas. Born on January 20, 1926, in New Carlisle, Ginny was one of eleven children in William Fay and Katherine (Norris) Hooton's family. Ginny graduated from New Carlisle High School in 1944 and went on to serve the war effort as a riveter on B-17 aircraft. She trained as a teletype operator and worked for the government until the end of the war.

Ginny met Leonard Belsaas shortly after the war ended. They were married on August 30, 1947, and after a brief time in Minnesota, made New Carlisle their home. There they raised their family and created Len's Dairy Supply, Inc., the business they owned and ran together for 18 years. Ginny loved being with people and ended her working career as Activities Director of Hamilton Grove Retirement Community.

Ginny was a lifetime member of Olive Chapel Church in New Carlisle where she served in the Sunday School room, the choir, in leadership and in the kitchen. She was also a multi-decade member of Delta Beta Phi service sorority and her neighborhood club, the Boot Jack Club.

Ginny was an active volunteer throughout her community as well as in her winter home in Mission, TX. As a result of her lifetime community involvement, Ginny was awarded the Age of Excellence Award by the Area 2 Agency on Aging in 1999. Later that year, she received the Older Hoosier of the Year Award, presented by Governor Frank O'Bannon.

Ginny loved music and joyously shared her gifts and talents with her community, her church, her friends and her family. She was a founding member of the New Carlisle Town Band, and played with the band until 2002.

Virginia Rose Belsaas is survived by her husband, Leonard E. Belsaas; children, Mark (Kathy) Belsaas and Marsha Belsaas, all of New Carlisle, and her son, Dale (Sue) Belsaas of Houston, TX. Grandchildren include Jenny (J.C.) Schoel, Jason (Laurel) Belsaas and Katie Belsaas of Houston, TX, and Matthew Belsaas and Kari Belsaas of New Carlisle. She is survived by two siblings, Warren Hooten of Lenoir, NC, and PollyAnna Hensell of Centreville, MI.

The family will receive visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. (e.s.t.) Friday, January 24, at Olive Chapel Church.

Memorial services will be held at the church on Saturday, January 25, at 3 p.m. (e.s.t.). Memorial contributions are planned for Hospice and Olive Chapel Church. Arrangements are being handled through Kaniewski Funeral Homes, Inc.