Virginia "Ginger" H. Ahern
December 18, 1942 - November 25, 2020

A video has now been added.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Thursday, June 3, 2021
3:00 - 5:00 P.M.
The Shores
Emmetsburg, Iowa

TRIBUTE TO GINGER
Thursday, June 3, 2021
3:30 P.M.
The Shores

Virginia "Ginger" H. Ahern, daughter of Joseph and Olavia (Miller) Hand, was born December 18, 1942 in Emmetsburg, Iowa.  She received her education in Emmetsburg, graduating from Emmetsburg High School in 1960.  Following graduation Ginger continued her education at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri where she earned her A.A. Degree in 1962.

On November 22, 1962, Ginger was united in marriage to Michael Bill Ahern in Laramie, Wyoming.  They were blessed with a son, Michael Shaun and a daughter Kathryn Cecelia.  Ginger and Bill made their first home in Laramie where they both completed their B.A. Degrees at the University of Wyoming in 1964.

The Ahern family lived in several areas throughout the United States due to Bill's career in the military.  After leaving Wyoming they moved to Fort Benning, Georgia and then Niagra Falls, New York.  While living in New York Ginger completed her MA Degree at Niagra University in 1970.

Ginger and her family went on to live in Fort Lewis, Washington, Panama, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Fort Monroe, Virginia, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and El Paso, Texas.

Ginger was employed at the Ysleta School District in El Paso, where she was a Guidance Counselor and Diagnostician for sixteen years.  After she and Bill retired they moved to Emmetsburg where they made their home.

Ginger was an avid golfer, winning the Alaska State Amateur Championship in 1983 and 1984.  While living in Panama she also won the Panama Women's Open Amateur Championship twice.  Ginger continued her love of golfing her entire life, winning more club championships and local invitationals than can be counted as she moved around the country.  Ginger was an independent individual who was always ready for an adventure.  It was not uncommon for her to take off to meet friends and family for golf outings in various states.  She loved her nights dining with the Dub Club, discussing books with her reading groups and playing a fierce game of Bridge.  Ginger also enjoyed spending time with her furry companion, Molly, going on walks and traveling around town together.

Ginger passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg, at the age of 77.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Olavia Hand and her husband, Bill Ahern.

She is survived by her children and four grandchildren; Shaun and Sonja Ahern of Fairbanks, Alaska and their children, Kelly and Daniel; Kathy and Chris Hartwiger of Birmingham, Alabama and their children, Erin and Ben; brothers, John (Ruth) Hand of Emmetsburg, Iowa and Philip (Kathy) Hand of Woodburn, Oregon; a sister, Jean (Boyd) Griffith of El Paso, Texas; nieces and nephew; and many friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home