VanDyke, Ginger

Other Events:

• Obituary: 11 Nov 2012; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Ginger Van Dyke, age 61, passed on to her Home to see all her loved ones that she missed so much. She was in acute hospice care at AMC, Appleton, WI for seven days, suffering from severely damaged heart muscle, due to untreated, long-term sleep apnea.
Ginger was born December 16, 1950, and attended Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School until her high school years, where she attended Caroline Academy, School Sisters of the Notre Dame in Mequon, WI. After realizing this was not her calling, she returned to Kimberly and attended City School of Cosmetology in Appleton, WI, graduating top of her class and working as a stylist for nearly tens years; again she changed her profession, earning a CNA license and working at Colony Oaks Nursing home for many years. In 1981 she was hired by Kimberly-Clark as Tape Librarian at the Telecommunications Center, and retired after 25 years, in 2006.
Very shortly after retirement, our mother passed away suddenly, and Ginger made the decision to care for our dad, which she did 24/7 for the next six years, foregoing her retirement plans to care for him.
Ginger has always been there for her family, care taking, encouraging, and giving out her formidable 'slaps upside the head'. She was spunky, funny, compassionate and our family's Energizer Bunny, until her battery gave out. We dubbed her our 'family pitt bull', over-protective and overboard at times, but as faithful as they come.
She is survived by her siblings, Allen (Audrey) Van Dyke, Union Grove; Linda (Jeff) Mueller, Bloomfield; Leslie (Jim) Coenen, Combined Locks; Jim (Lori) Van Dyke and Ginger, the dog, Kimberly. She is missed so much by her seven nieces and nephews, and a great-niece and nephew:
Adam (Sarah) Kieffer and Winter and River, Minneapolis, MN; Olivia Kieffer and husband, Isaac Anderson, Atlanta, GA; BJ Kieffer, Portland, OR; Jamie Lyn Coenen, Kimberly (her name sake and God-daughter); Cassie Coenen (Andy Wied), Little Chute; Otto Coenen ( Lisa Liebergan ), Kimberly and Seymour; Alexander P. Van Dyke, Union Grove, WI.
Ginger has two very special cousins, Nancy and Marylynn Van Dyke, Combined Locks, and her best friend, Betty DeJong, Kaukauna, plus our family friend, Braeden Dornfeld, all of whom she dearly loved.
At Ginger's request there will be no service or visitation; in the Spring of 2013, the family will sprinkle her ashes at a place she chose, and have a dinner together to celebrate her life. (Please send cards to Boettcher Funeral Home.) www.boettcherfamilyfuneral.com
Ginger was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Driek (Paul) and Margaret Van Dyke; two brothers, Joseph and Rikki, her grandparents, Max and Molly Islinger and Hank and Mayme Van Dyke, plus numerous aunts and uncles.
Ginger always said, "Good-bye and have a great day and a better tomorrow!" and "Take on the day!"
Our family wants to thank the incredible staff at AMC ER, ICU, 8th floor and 7th floor; Amy from ThedaCare Hospice, Chaplin KC Schuler, Nurse Practioner Jamie, and Dr. Nonn, and all the amazing nurses and CNA's for their compassionate, professional and efficient care of our sister and of all of our family.
We miss you, Ginger!
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on November 11, 2012

Ginger married Debroux, Russ [Group Sheet]