Virginia Lee Funke, known as Ginna, Gin, Ginny, and Ginger passed away 22 February 2026 at Mercy Hospital, Washington.
Ginna was born 29 December 1939 in St. Louis to Roy Lee Funke and Ruby May (Smith) Funke.
On 26 April 1958, she married Lloyd Richard Behrens. They had three children together but divorced in 1974, though they remained friends, especially in later life.
She was a devout Christian and a member of Trinity Lutheran church in New Haven.
Ginna was a talented artist, winning art scholarships in high school and working in the art department for the school paper. As an adult, she did custom portraits for people and designed and sewed her own clothes.
She held a variety of positions in her working life, including a secretarial job, salesperson for Transart, and district manager for Parents, Inc., but the work she enjoyed most was waiting tables, which she did for many years.
Years ago, in her spare time, she enjoyed singing with local bands, and fishing. She loved animals – especially horses, good food, game shows, and playing cards.
Her absence in our lives will be felt for many, many years to come.
Ginna is preceded in death by her parents, Roy (1991) and Ruby (2004), and her ex-husband, Lloyd (2017).
She is survived by her children, Eric Lloyd Behrens, Yvonne Leslie Behrens, and Evan Richard Behrens, all of Washington (originally St. Louis); her grandchildren, Kyle (Alisha) Behrens of Beaufort, Nicole (Jake) Rice of Sullivan, Isaiah Pierce of Springfield, Illinois, and Cherrice Behrens of Washington; seven great-grandchildren; and her sister, D. Jean Boeckelmann of St. Louis.
The visitation will be March 7th at Kutis Funeral Home (Affton), 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis beginning at 9:00 am, with a service at 11:00 am and interment to follow at St. Trinity Cemetery, 2160 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis.
Such a beautiful, talented & amazing woman with a big heart. You will be greatly missed by all of your family cousin Gin.