Virginia “Ginia” Pauline Rye

The world grew dimmer with the gentle passing of Virginia “Ginia” Pauline Rye, 48, of Hancock, WI in the early morning hours of June 22, 2023.

Ginia was born on April 25, 1975 at the Garden State Hospital in Marlton, NJ to Marc and Carol Kruger. Ginia married her one true love, Christopher Rye, on July 12, 2003 at a private backyard ceremony in Madison, WI. 9 years later, Ginia’s dream of being a mother was fulfilled with the birth of their miracle son, Evan Fox.

Ginia’s time on this earth was short, but her impact was mighty. She was the third daughter of Marc and Carol, coming 9 years after their second daughter. Virginia was named after her Nanny who left this earth before Ginia was born, but they shared many traits, including their favorite meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. As a little girl, she was tiny and adored. She was her Mama’s “Ginia-Jo” and they shared a special bond until Carol’s death a month prior to Ginia’s passing. She was her Papa’s Princess in every way. All she had to do was smile with her twinkling eyes and her papa would cave in to her wishes. Shortly after her birth, she was joined by her brother, Christian, who she called “Tissy-pop”. Ginia and Christian created a lifelong close bond. Her oldest sister, Gretchen, was like a second mother to her. Gretchen was her Lorelai and Ginia was Gretchen’s Rory. Ginia’s sister, Sandi, loved watching America’s Next Top Model with her while texting each other from across the room.

Ginia began her school career at Rib Mountain Elementary in Wausau, WI. During these years she was a ballet dancer under the instruction of Madame Karkar at the Central Wisconsin School of Ballet, where she formed life-long friendships including Rachael and Vivian. Ginia’s grace and beauty lit up the stage. It was a love she carried with her for her entire life. Ginia also traveled to New Jersey to study ballet.

Ginia attended Hortonville, WI schools for the remainder of her education, graduating in 1993. It was here she met her “person”, Gwen. Gwen remained her best friend for the rest of her life. They had many adventures such as skinny dipping in Appleton’s City Park Fountain, until the police ended their fun. Ginia’s husband eventually named them “Gwenna”. Gwen dressed up for Ginia and spent her last full day on this earth with her. Her Hortonville friends were known as “The Daggs” (Dani, Angie, Ginia, Gwen, Stefanie) and would go on weekend adventures. The Daggs will never be the same without one of the “G’s”, but they have so many memories to cherish in the years to come.

Ginia met her future husband, Chris, in late 1997. She was forever changed that year. Not long after meeting, Ginia was diagnosed with her first bout of cancer, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She told Chris to bail but he did not listen. During her first illness, he not only stayed, but he cared for her along with her mama and papa. It was during this illness that Chris made his first video of her as a Christmas gift documenting her fight to Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”. A love like no other grew between them and lasted her lifetime and beyond. Chris and Ginia were total opposites in almost every way, but they embraced those differences. Their love was easy in the most complicated situations. Ginia was stubborn, independent and free spirited – traits Chris loved completely and let her fly high. Anyone who met Ginia knew she had found her soulmate.

Their love story started in Appleton, WI and soon they would find themselves living together in Madison, WI. During this time they became dog parents to their pups Hazen and Tanner, two yippity cocker spaniels. While there for 4 years, they bought their first house on Westbury Place and on July 12, 2003 were married in the backyard in the presence of both their parents. It did not take long for Ginia to become a beloved member of Chris’ family. They embraced her and formed very special relationships. They were her second, but equal family in many ways.

After souring on Madison, they eventually found 20 acres of dream property near Hancock, WI where they built a beautiful monolithic dome home where much of the construction work they did themselves. Together they created their own tiny slice of heaven. Chris bought Ginia the biggest Jacuzzi tub for her infamous bubble baths. In the beginning, their home was heated with hot water from an outdoor wood burning furnace, where sometimes Ginia could be seen loading it in her high heels and fur coat. For her 46th birthday, Chris built her a greenhouse where she spent many peaceful hours during her last years.

Ginia was told she would never be a mother due to her Hodgkin’s Lymphoma treatments. She once again defied the odds and gave birth to Evan Fox Rye on March 21, 2012. He was her greatest gift on this earth and she shined as a mother. Soon after, Ginia was diagnosed with cancer a second time, this time breast cancer that eventually went into remission. She was determined to give Evan several lifetimes of adventures. They took special road trips together, including one to Florida to see the ocean, to special museums he loved, one with her mama to an off the grid cabin in Arkansas, and many more. She got a special tattoo of a fox in his honor. Evan inherited his mother’s love of fine dining and love of the outdoors. A few years later, breast cancer was discovered again, this time metastasized in her spine, which is considered Stage 4 and uncurable. Evan would so gently rub her head in her final days.

Ginia was so many more things. She was a dancer, a party girl, an animal lover, a foodie, a blogger, a lover of all things Harry Potter and a financial professional. Ginia’s alter ego on her carefree nights out was Victoria and she was so much fun. Ginia loved her pets. Tanner, Hazen and Liberty her cat were waiting for her on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. She left behind their outdoor working cats Bruce, Sybil, Ellie, Caris and 13 chickens. Ginia loved to cook creative, beautiful dishes. She had an expensive palate and rarely ate leftovers. If one had to point out something she could not do, it was baking. Despite her love of fancy meals, she could down a bowl of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese like nobody’s business. Ginia was able to live out her foodie dreams with a trip of a lifetime to Paris, with the encouragement of her husband. She loved music. She had her heartbeat recorded for her loved ones, put to the music of Michael Jackson – her favorite artist.

Ginia brought her grace and ability to connect to her banking career. She started as a teller and worked her way into many positions, including banker, investment advisor, and bank manager. She was so intelligent and dedicated, and took pride in helping others improve at their jobs. These qualities earned her the respect of her customers and colleagues. Ginia created many friendships and mentorships in her time at Associated Bank, US Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Paper City and BMO Harris. Ginia and Chris started Juniper Moon Candle Co together in the later months of 2021. Many of their unique candle scents were created by Ginia in their workshop and some were named in her honor, including Mighty One, Wifey’s Bath and Tiny Dancer.

Ginia could be described as a friend collector. If she had more than a 10-minute conversation with you, chances are you became a life long friend. She had a way of making you feel special, as if you were her only friend. During her illnesses, she touched the hearts of those within the medical industry who cared for her. She had a very special bond with her oncologist, Dr. Seth Fagbemi. She respected him greatly and they developed a friendship over his many years of care – right to the end. She also liked to cause him great anxiety with her stubbornness and the many tattoos she got that he advised against. She received many visits in her final week from her chemo nurses and other medical professionals. Simply put, Ginia touched everyone she met.

In her final days, Ginia gave many words of wisdom, guidance and threats of hauntings to those who visited. She never lost her humor, right up to the very end. Ginia died as she lived: wise, beautiful, full of grace and love.

Ginia is survived by her husband, Christopher Rye: her son, Evan Rye; her father, Marc Kruger; her siblings, Gretchen (Tony) Ugoretz, Sandra Kelch, and Christian (Cathy) Kruger; Mother-in-law Connie (Wayne) Bjarnarson; Father-in-law, Terry (Shari) Rye, Sisters-in-law Kim (Kevin) Schroeder and Jenny (Kyle) Patenaude; nieces and nephews, Emily, Sarah, Hunter, Nghia, Ashley, Isabelle, Brittany, Brock, Karl, Noah and Micah, grandnephews Everett and Lennox; special Aunts, Kay (Steve) Detaege, Beth (Chuck) Haviland, and Ruth Gingerage; special friends, Gwen, Stefanie, Rachael, Teri, her Winona college friends, Tiffany (Bob), neighbors Doug and Terri, and her many other friends and co-workers.

Ginia was preceded in death by her beloved mother Carol Kruger; her Mom-mom and Pop-pop, Edgar and Carolyn Bullen, Otto and Eloisa Kruger, and Nanny Virginia Kruger.

Ginia was tiny but the legacy she left behind is mighty.

A Celebration Of Life will be held for family and friends.