MADISON - Virginia L. “Ginger” Kazmierczak passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, after a short but fierce battle with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband and family.

Ginger was born in1943 at the U.S. Naval hospital in Vallejo, Calif., to Thomas H. and Marion G. Geselbracht, the oldest of six children. After World War II, the family moved to central Illinois. She grew up in the Peoria, Ill., area and graduated from Washington Community High School in 1961. After high school, Ginger pursued a career in nursing, attending St. Mary of Nazareth Nursing School in Chicago and graduating in 1965.

Also in 1965, Ginger married U.S. Army officer, Eugene (Gene) Kazmierczak, and together they began their military life, living in seven different states and completing two tours in Germany while raising three wonderful children. During her time as an Army wife and mother, Ginger also worked in many different settings as a registered nurse.

A lifelong learner, Ginger earned her BSN at the University of San Francisco (1980) and her MSN at the University of Missouri (1997). Ginger was also a Certified Nurse Educator, and she spent the later years of her career preparing the next generation of nurses as an Associate Professor of Nursing at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo., where she finally retired from teaching at the age of 70.

Gene and Ginger eventually settled in Columbia, Mo., where they lived for 30 years and developed many close friendships. During these years In Columbia, Ginger enjoyed spending time with friends and family, gardening, and traveling the world with Gene. She also became involved in Cursillo as a Rectora and various ministries at the St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center at The University of Missouri. She was also a volunteer at the Heart of Missouri CASA.

Ginger will be greatly missed by her husband of 59 years, Gene; children Janet (Jim) Dickinson, Jim (Anita) Kazmierczak, and Joe (Shannon) Kazmierczak. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Emma (Brandon) Squires, Ellie Dickinson, Tommy (Lydia) Kazmierczak, Alaina Kazmierczak and Devin Kazmierczak; her great-grandson Hank; her siblings Catherine (Laura) Jameson, Tom (Lana) Geselbracht, Jim (Jeannie) Geselbracht, Mary Ellen (Jim) Johnson; Tom (Jami) Armstrong; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Maggie.

The family would like to express their gratitude for SSM Hospice and the tremendous nurses who helped us take care of her to the end.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Dennis Catholic Church, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. Ginger will be laid to rest at Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Ginger’s memory to the Heart of Missouri CASA program. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Virginia L. "Ginger" Kazmierczak

October 18, 1943 - August 28, 2024

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