BYRON – Virginia Frances (Dee) Kuisle, 88, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by the love of her family in Byron, Minnesota on Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

Virginia was born and grew up in Rochester, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Mary (Fitzpatrick) and Stanley Dee. She met the love of her life, Ralph Kuisle, while teaching and they married in June of 1952. They enjoyed a 62 year journey together. After raising five children, they adored their eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Virginia never tired in her enthusiasm for learning. After graduating from Lourdes High School, Virginia began her 41-year teaching career. She received an emergency World War II teaching certificate after one year and started her career in a one room school, teaching 1st-8th grade, and taught at multiple schools after that. She returned to college to obtain her B.A. in Education from Winona State University. After twenty-three years of teaching at Byron Elementary School, she was able to retire. Virginia was the recipient of many teaching awards for finding creative ways to help students who faced academic challenges to succeed. She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association. She's always kept really busy. She helped her husband on the farm outside of Byron. She loved having her flowers and yard looking nice. She also enjoyed sewing and being involved with anything her family was involved in. Finally, she loved knowing and sharing information about the family history with all. Family was always at the top of her list.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Ralph Kuisle of Byron; daughters, Rosemary (Tim) Schmerbeck of Mantorville and Beverly (Leroy) Kaehler of Kasson; sons, Don (Pam) Kuisle of Byron and Dale (Karen) Kuisle of Byron; son-in-law, Ken Lubahn of Oronoco; and 11 grandchildren, Katherine Schmerbeck, Kimberly (Mike) Grossmann, Shawn Schmerbeck, Ken Kuisle, Kelly (Spencer) Klemm, Michelle Kuisle, Samantha (Tony) Thorn, Christine Kuisle, David Kuisle, Ryan (Laura) Kuisle and Laura Kuisle; great-grandchild, Amira Kuisle. She is also survived by her brothers, Stanley (Millie) Dee Jr and Raymond (Shirley Ann) Dee of Rochester and her brother-in-law, Lloyd Maxon of Witchita Falls, TX. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Deb Lubahn; and sister, Mary Margaret (Dee) Maxon.

A Christian Wake service will be held Friday evening from 5:00-8:00pm in the original Macken Funeral Home building in Rochester. Recitation of the Rosary will be said at 7:30pm. The funeral Mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Byron on Saturday, March 21st at 11:00 am; with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Memorials can be made to Mayo Hospice or Cancer Society.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.