Virginia “Gini” Carol Stevens, 80, of Valley City, North Dakota passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at The Legacy Place, Valley City.

The funeral service will be held 10:30 am Tuesday, November 15, at Faith Lutheran Church, Valley City.  Visitation will be Monday, November 14, from 5-7pm at the church.  

Gini was born to Walter Vernon Nelson and Dorothy Irene (Ekern) Nelson on October 9th, 1942 in Valley City.  She was the firstborn of six.

Gini married James “Jim” Russell Stevens on October 7th, 1961.  They enjoyed 61 years together.  They were parents to John Wade Stevens and Cheryl DeNae (Stevens) Sorby.

She attended schools at Daily School #2, Kathryn Public School and graduated in 1960 from College High School.  She worked for many years in bookkeeping and banking.  While at Midwest Federal, she was selected to attend a “Train the Trainer” seminar in Nashville, Tennessee and spent several months training employees at many of the branches, retiring as Assistant Branch Manager. 

 Gini was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Kathryn where she was also a member of the WELCA, the quilters and had taught Sunday school for many years.  She was also a charter and ten year member of Alpha Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and member of the Eagles Auxiliary.  Gini loved her flowers and sharing them with others.  Her pride and joy were her seven grandchildren.

Gini is survived by her husband, Jim; son, John (Arlette); daughter, Cheryl (Kory) Sorby; grandchildren, Dylan, Amanda, Jasmine and Nicholas Stevens and Karl, Kayla (Jacob Elston) and Carson Sorby; sister Sharon (Dennis Coleman), sister, Connie (Rodney Olson); brother, Wayne (Sandy) Nelson; brother-in-law, Merrill (Gladys) Stevens; special cousin, Myron (Leona) Kulsrud who was like a brother and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; and step great grandchildren, Micaleb and Braya Elston.

Gini  is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Dorothy Nelson; grandparents, Nicholas and Sophie Nelson; grandparents, Melvin and Carrie Ekern; brothers, Jeff Nelson and Jim Nelson; God Mother, Edna (Art) Kulsrud; brothers-in-law and their spouses, Milo (Yvonne) Stevens; Earl (Shirley) Stevens and Michael Stevens; sister-in-law, Joyce (Myron) Wallner; numerous aunts, uncles and God Daughter Camille (Kulsrud) Fitterer. 

Memorials may be directed to the Sheyenne Valley Cemetery, Kathryn, St. Paul’s Cemetery, Kathryn or JRMC Cancer Center, Jamestown or choose your favorite charity. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City.  An online guest book is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com