Virginia LaVerne Gerharter was born on December 12, 1944, in Cape Girardeau, MO. She was the daughter and only child of Delmar Carl and Mildred Lillian nee Popp Gerharter. She was baptized on Dec. 25, 1944, at Trinity Lutheran, Shawneetown, MO by the Rev. Julius Schabacker under the ministry of Rev. Henry J. Luker. She confirmed her faith on Palm Sunday March 30, 1958.
Virginia attended elementary school at Trinity Lutheran in Shawneetown, MO. She graduated from Jackson High School in Jackson, MO. She attended St. Paul’s Jr. college in Concordia, MO for 2 years Ginny continued her education at Lutheran Teachers’ College in River Forest, IL where she received a B.A. degree in teacher.
Upon receiving her B.A., she accepted a call to teach at Atonement Lutheran School in Florissant, MO. She taught at Atonement for two years (1966-1968) and then accepted a call to teach at Trinity Lutheran School, Utica, MI. She lived and taught in Utica for six years (1968-1974). While there she gained many lifelong Chrisitan friends. She returned to Missouri and began a new career as a travel agent. She became an avid traveler, visiting and leading tours in the United States and around the world. After years of traveling, Ginny sought employment close to home at Gwen’s Hallmark store. She became an enthusiastic collector of Hallmark Christmas ornaments and other memorabilia. Her years of traveling and collecting brought many friendships of which gave her much joy.
Ginny’s faith life was important to her. After being a communicant at King of Kings Lutheran Church, Chesterfield, MO, she transferred membership to Peace Lutheran in 1977 where her affiliation since has remained. Over the years, Ginny taught Sunday School, served as a Bethel Bible Class teacher, volunteered on mission trips and in the Peace Lutheran church office.
Ginny lived independently in St. Louis County for nearly fifty years. Throughout the years she struggled with various health issues. In December of 2022, due to her declining health, Ginny moved to Laclede Groves, a Lutheran Senior Services assisted living facility. She spent her last few days in Garden View Care Center succumbing to kidney failure. She departed this life on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 6:10am. She sustained the age of 78 years, 8 months, and 16 days.
Ginny is survived by cousins, goddaughters, and many friends. Following this funeral service, she will be interred at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Frohna, Missouri.
Services: Visitation at Peace Lutheran Church 737 Barracksview Rd., 63125 on Thursday, August 31, from 9:30 a.m., until funeral service time at 10:30 a.m. Interment at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Frohna, MO. Memorials to the Delmar, Mildred, and Virginia Family Endowment Fund, C/O Lutheran Hour Ministries, or Peace Lutheran Church, appreciated. Kutis Affton Service
My condolences go out to all of Jenny’s friends, her cousins including me. I am one Ll, her dear friends, fellow parishioners she will be missed a lot. I am sure.🙏🙏🙏❤️
Thinking of her in Concordia MO where she had been a student at St Pauls College. Later we were both members at Peace, Lemay.
I knew Ginny from her days as a Hallmark ornament collector. We initially became acquainted online and eventually met in person and became friends. I will miss her stories about her trips to Branson and abroad. Her joy for life is something I will always remember.
I was one of Ginny’s Hallmark collecting friends. She was always so good to share her vast Hallmark knowledge with us she will be missed.
Deepest sympathies to Ginny’s family. She meant so much to her Hallmark family, especially COOL Members. We have some awesome memories of Hallmark Conventions! Rip Ginny!
Sharon Christensen
Antioch,IL
I am very sad to hear about Ginny’s death! I was looking at some pictures the other day and came upon pictures of the time I met Ginny in Branson. She drove us around and got tickets to one of the shows there and then, it came as a surprise to me to hear of her death. I met her in 1993 at a Hallmark convention and she has helped me since with Hallmark. My sympathies go to her family.
I met Ginny through the fun of Hallmark ornament collecting events. She was always helpful and loved to show others how to build friendships through her many activities.
I, also, met Ginny through Hallmark Collecting. When we were talking we found out she lived in Utica, Michigan. I still live there. RIP Ginny. God Bless You.
Sandy Placek
So sad to hear that Ginny has past, she was such a great lady. Paul and I met her at the Hallmark Conventions and became good friends. We appreciated all her help during our visits there and she was the person who helped us with out membership in the COOL Club. Paul had made her one of his carvings in appreciation for all her help. Our sympathies to her family. We will miss her.
I met Ginny through Hallmark collecting and events, and became friends with her on Facebook. She was a very sweet lady with a smile on her face at all times ! She will truly be missed by a lot of people ! RIP Ginny !!
I am surprised and sad today to learn that Ginny has passed away. I first met her when we both lived at Graystone Manor. We lost touch for awhile until we discovered that we both had moved to only live a block apart. Ginny often spoke of her cousins, her Branson and Hallmark friends, and especially of her beloved Goddaughter. She loved all of you. My deepest sympathies to all.
I am just now learning of Ginny’s passing. I became friends with Ginny back in 1982 when I went to work at The Travel Center on Hampton Avenue in St. Louis. She was actually my supervisor there.
She and I became close friends as the years went by…travelling together etc. We had great times together. I met her mother one time when we went to Frohna, Mo,.where I also met some of her cousins and her Goddaughter, Julie I believe was her name. Julie, I send you my deepest sympathy. I have been wondering for quite some time whatever happened to Ginny, but just today my daughter found this obituary online. I m glad to have some closure on her whereabouts, as now I know where she is and I will see her again someday . With Christian love,
Edna Speidel