Obituary of Virgil Davidson Jr.

Virgil Davidson, Jr., 94, passed away Friday, September 4, 2021, at Emerald Crest Memory Care in Burnsville, Minnesota.  He was born in Washington Twp, Story County, Iowa on June 26, 1927 to Virgil Amos Davidson and Dorothy (Shiflett) Davidson. He was a World War II veteran, serving with the US Navy Seabees.  He worked as a telegrapher on the Chicago Northwestern RR for several years in Iowa before moving his family to Silver Bay, Minnesota in June 1957 to work in Reserve Mining Company’s taconite processing plant until it closed in 1986.  He married Donna Marie Myers on September 3, 1949 in Lohrville, Iowa and they were married for 72 years.

Jr. had several talents and gifts: he played the piano by ear (though shy to play in front of his acquaintances, which was surprising, since he played in a band in Iowa during the early years); he played pool (and earned spending money doing so in the early years); played a mean game of cribbage (where he constantly threatened to bring out his secret weapon); was an excellent shot and thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Silver Bay Gun Club where he shot trap; and most endearing to all of us, was his wonderful sense of humor and ability to tell great stories and jokes.  Jr. also hunted and fished extensively in northern MN and Canada.  He taught his girls to enjoy and appreciate nature and our best family times involved camping and fishing.  His best talent, though, was his dedication to his family.  We always knew we were loved and supported, something we were able to pass on to our families in turn.  

He is survived by his wife, Donna, and 2 daughters, Linda Davidson, South Sioux City, NE, and Lori (Nils) Hudyma, Lakeville, MN; 5 grandchildren: Jennifer (Brandon) McCune, and Luke Nelson, both of South Sioux City, NE, Nick (Amber) Hudyma, St. Francis, MN, Garett Hudyma  and Kaitlin Hudyma, both of Lakeville, MN; and 6 great-grandchildren, Jack, Danny, Jenna, and Dylan McCune, Lincoln and Cash Hudyma; a brother, Jim Davidson and sister-in-law, LaDonna, Great Falls, MT, and sister-in-law, Eileen Myers, Webster City, IA.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his sister, Myrna (Fred) Henkel, brother-in-law, Donald Myers, and Queenie, his golden retriever, whom he adored.

Arrangements are being handled by the Minnesota Cremation Society.  A private family service will be conducted on Saturday, September 11, 2021.  We encourage any memorials be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.