Virginia Songstad

Virginia (Halter) Songstad, age 85, of Columbus, Ohio passed away at her home on February 21, 2026. She was born on January 5, 1941, in Washington, Indiana to Eugene and Helen (Gartner) Halter. On November 28, 1970, she married Donald C Songstad, starting fifty-five years together building a blessed family.

Virginia developed her strong work ethic while growing up on her family’s farm in Washington, Indiana. She earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry and Mathematics from Marian College in Indianapolis in 1963. After graduating, she accepted an opportunity to work for Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), which led to her moving to Columbus, Ohio. She had a successful 35-year career at CAS holding various roles across information systems planning and editorial functions and met the love of her life and future husband, Donald. Then, in 1998, she joined OCLC developing and testing online research databases.

After retiring, she loved traveling with her husband, listening to music, supporting local community organizations, and enjoying their rose garden. She continued to be an active member of the Columbus Chapter of the American Chemical Society and the Clintonville Women’s Club. She frequently expressed her opinion in her letters to the editor published in The Columbus Dispatch. Virginia was a parishioner at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and was very devout and active in her parish community.

Virginia was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was independent and compassionate, helping instill those values in raising her two daughters. She cherished family gatherings and supporting her grandchildren across their education and activities. Her family was blessed to have her endless love and dedication.

Virigina is survived by her husband (Donald); daughters: Cherie (Jeff) Nelson of Worthington, Ohio; and Angie (Richard) Grimm of Darien, Connecticut; five grandchildren: Peyton Nelson, Jack Nelson, Samantha Grimm, Jacob Grimm, and Natalie Grimm; siblings: brother, Bernard (Sue) Halter of Washington, and sister, Mary Agnes Sparks of Evansville; and sister-in-law, Malinda Halter of Washington.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Eugene Halter; brothers, Earl Halter, David Halter; sister-in-law, Rose Ann Halter.

A visitation will be held at Schoedinger Worthington, located at 6699 N High Street, Worthington, OH, 43085, on February 27, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The funeral mass will take place at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 20 E Dominion Blvd, Columbus, OH, 43214, on February 28, 2026, starting at 10:30 am.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center in her memory.