Virginia Norah (Quiroz) Barck, 96, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully with family by her side Monday, July 26, 2021.
Loving mother, wife, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, she was affectionately called “Key” by all who knew her.
Key was born in Detroit on Feb. 9, 1925, to Katherine (Thomas) Quiroz and Raphael Angelo Quiroz.
In 1946 she graduated from college with honors from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, and was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.
Upon graduation, she married Jerome E. Barck on June 15, 1946. They lived in Minneapolis for a few years before moving permanently to Rochester in 1955.
In addition to raising her seven children, Key was also active in both the St. Francis and St. John’s Rosary Group, was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and was a devoted companion to retired nuns at the Mother House and a foster parent to many traveling Filipino nurses at St. Mary’s and Methodist Hospitals.
Throughout her life, Key worked several salesclerk jobs and volunteered endless hours to the Dorothy Day House and Channel One Food Bank.
Key was an accomplished and eager bridge player, always holding her own with the best.
Most importantly, she was a kind, humble, accepting, gentle soul, who led an exemplary life with her actions and words.
She is survived by her daughter, Marcy Gerlach of Rochester; sons, Terry (Suzanne) Barck of Minneapolis and Chriss (Shawn) Barck of Perry; daughter, Marita (Fred) Salassa of Honolulu; and sons, David (Jan) Wyder-Barck of Plymouth, Mimmesota, and Michael Barck of Zumbrota, Minnesota.
Key was preceded in death by husband, Jerome Barck, on March 4, 1991; and by her son, Brian “Barney” Barck, in January 2021.
She was blessed with 21 grandchildren and 26 great- grandchildren. Growing up as an only child, Key’s greatest desire was to surround herself with a large, loving family. She got her wish and will be forever in each of our hearts.
Key’s family sends special thanks to both staffs at Good Samaritan-Bethany Nursing Home and Season’s Hospice for the gentle, loving care they extended to their mother.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Channel One. A memorial service for Key will be held Monday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St. S.E., Rochester, MN.
