Having lived a full and altruistic life, Virginia Catherine Hovious Wieck left this world on June 25, 2022, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Ginny was born on November 30, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri to Virginia and Louis Hovious. She attended St. Catherine’s grade school, Visitation High School, and graduated from Fontbonne College (now University) in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics. Ginny married Charles P. Wieck in 1955 in Salt Lake City, UT and after a California honeymoon, they moved to Great Falls, MT. Ginny and Chuck loved Montana and the people who call Big Sky Country their home. Ginny’s days were filled with the management of a home and rearing seven spirited children while Chuck oversaw the operation of Wieck Construction. Many of the homes he built benefitted from Ginny’s eye for design when he used her talents to help select paint, wallpaper, carpet, and tile for the homes he built. She was a strong, ambitious, and dedicated woman who loved to work and stay busy. She joined the Junior League of Great Falls where she built life-long friendships as well as developed her skills as a volunteer and committee leader. Once her children were all in school, she was appointed the first Director of the Voluntary Action Center. Soon after, she was hired by the American Red Cross as the Director of Blood Donor Services, a position she held until her retirement.

Ginny’s love for her community always manifested itself in her commitment to volunteerism. She was involved with many organizations including the American Cancer Society, Cascade County AIDS Task Force, C. M. Russell Museum, the Children’s Receiving Home, Ursuline Center, P.E.O., the Great Falls Public Library, Governor’s Advisory Council, Benefis Hospital Foundation, and Gallery Trinitas. Later in her career, she became a revered member of the Zonta Club of Great Falls and in 1989 was named “Woman of the Year” by that organization. She also served as the President of the Junior League, the Zonta Club as well as the Benefis Hospital Foundation Board. Ginny loved to travel. She particularly enjoyed her trips to Hawaii with her grandchildren and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy and Ireland.

She loved to socialize with her many friends, especially with the women in the two Bridge Clubs with whom she played on a regular basis. Many of the local merchants will remember how much she loved to support them. She was ahead of her time when it came to “Buy Local,” including some of her favorites, Stapps, The Viking, Spencer’s, The Paris of Montana, and Kaufman’s (we apologize to anyone we might have missed).

She and Chuck were long-time parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Cathedral where Ginny served as a lector and liturgical minister. She was also involved with the Prison Ministry through St. Ann’s. In addition to being a key member of the team that helped raise money for the St. Ann’s Restoration project, she was instrumental in commissioning the artist who created the main entrance doors of the Cathedral. Her heart and soul are in that church.

In 2016, Ginny was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Charles P. Wieck. She is survived by her sister, Lois Ferrer of St. Louis, MO; children, Susan Wieck of Salt Lake City, UT, Michael Wieck of Ellensburg, WA, David (Kathleen) Wieck of Bellevue, WA, Joe Wieck of Helena, MT, Ted Wieck of Great Falls, MT, Julia (Dunbar) Hardy of Boulder, CO, and Elizabeth Chargois of Great Falls, MT. “Gramma Ginnie” is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Hayden (Shannon) Wieck, Courtney, Danielle, and Matthew Wieck, Soren (Dominic) Ebbasi, Isaiah, Hale, and Sterling Chargois, and Kira Schutz. Gramma Ginnie loved them all and made a difference in each of their lives. She will be dearly missed by all.

The family wishes to express our deep appreciation for the care our mother received at the Beehive in Great Falls. We know that she was considered family by many of them. A Vigil will be held at St. Ann’s Cathedral on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, with viewing at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass, also at St. Ann’s, will be held at noon on Thursday, July 7, 2022. Following the graveside service, a reception will be held at the Meadowlark Country Club on the same day. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity and donating a pint of blood to the American Red Cross.