Virgil Joseph Sahli

Virgil Joseph Sahli, age 78, of Red Wing, died Saturday, January 12, 2008, at Fairview Red Wing Medical Center. He was born on January 22, 1929, in Hague, North Dakota, to John and Helen (Schatz) Sahli. He attended St. Francis Academy in Hankinson, North Dakota. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. He married Rita McNamara on June 25, 1955, in Minneapolis. They lived in Bloomington, where he worked for Harmon Glass prior to moving to Red Wing where he owned Red Wing Glass Company until retirement in 1995. He was a member of the Church of St. Joseph where he was in the Knights of Columbus, Red Wing Elks Lodge #845, Burnson-Lillyblad VFW Post #1218, Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post #54 and the Eagles.
Survivors include his wife, Rita, of Red Wing; six children, Patrick (Cyd) of Plymouth, Minnesota, Ronald (Jayne) of Alexandria, Minnesota, Donald (Joyce) of Red Wing, James (Lisa) of Eagan, John (Debbie) of Goodhue, and Mary (Marty) Kelly of Red Wing; eighteen grandchildren; three brothers, Jerome (Lucille) of North Dakota, Ervin (Norma) of Fridley, and Roger (Ginny) of Waubun, Minnesota ; three sisters, Virginia Hartley of Maple Grove, Dolly (Pete) Schmitz of Savage and Linda (Leo) Elkie of St. Michael. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church of St. Joseph with Father Thomas M. Kommers presiding. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with full military honors. Casketbearers will be Michael, Shawn, Elliott, Lucas, Scott and Nicholas Sahli. Honorary casketbearers will be Alexander, Andrew, Laura, Stephanie, Ellen, Hannah and Myles Sahli, Brianna, Sara, Sam, Jack and Megan Kelly. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday with an American Legion prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by a Parish prayer service at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the time of services Thursday at the church. Memorials are preferred to St. Joseph's School or Red Wing Hockey Association.