Virginia “Ginger” Richmond

Virginia (Ginger) Mae Richmond, 93, Granton, passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at Three Oaks Health Services in Marshfield.

Ginger was born on April 23, 1932, at a home in the town of York to Irvin and Hilda (Edens) Vandeberg. She graduated from Neillsville High School in 1950, and was married to the love of her life, Jesse Richmond, on June 23, 1951, at the United Methodist Church in Christie. They farmed in Christie for four years before moving to Fairchild, where they farmed for a year. They then moved to Granton and farmed for many years until retiring from farming and moving to their new house on five acres nearby.

Ginger dedicated her life to creating a warm, nurturing, and loving environment for her family and friends. She loved her family very much and adored all the children in her life, including 16 foster children, three of whom they adopted. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends and cooking wonderful meals to share with anyone and everyone. Her homemade rolls and pies were legendary in the neighborhood and her holiday gatherings were eagerly anticipated by family. Ginger’s love for nurturing things was evident in her beautiful greenhouse and gardens, which she lovingly tended for decades.

Ginger was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church in Granton. She was a Granton FFAAlumni member, and a co-founder and member of the Grant Busy Bees Homemaker’s Club. She was a Master Gardener, owned Pansies Plus Greenhouse in Granton, and loved flowers of all types and colors, particularly pansies. She was a 4-H general leader for many years, and cooked for the Granton Rotary meetings and at the sale barn during the horse sales. She was a tireless volunteer for many causes and proudly served as a volunteer driver for Clark County Social Services. Ginger had a quest for knowledge and acquiring/experiencing new skills, as was evident by her various hobbies and volunteerism.

She is survived by five children: Kathie (Robert) Sparkes of Wisconsin Rapids, Karen Richmond of Portland, Ore., Carole (Gerri) Krueger of Suamico, Robert (Anita) Richmond of Shelby, Iowa, and John (Lisa) Richmond of Granton; a daughter-in-law, Amy (Brent) Brooks of Spencer; and 18 grandchildren: Justin (Melissa) Sparkes, Jennifer (Kevin) Bravener, Jaime (Emily) Sparkes, Kevin Richmond, Nick Krueger, Ryan (Kelly) Krueger, Joe (Jenny) Havlik, Angela (Stephen) Berend, Daniel (Emily) Richmond, Jake (Becky) Oldenberg, Erica (Glen) Gardner, Ashley (Adam) Jackson, Jordan Richmond, Jesse Richmond, John (Chelsea) Richmond, Jeffrey (Emily) Richmond, Jessica (Austin) Naedler, and Jill Richmond. Ginger is further survived by seven step-grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joyce Oldham of Marshfield.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse; two children, Marvin Eugene Richmond and Dennis James Richmond; and a brother-in-law, Donald Richmond.

Ginger’s family greeted visitors from 9:30-11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Neillsville. The funeral service followed at 11 a.m. Interment took place in the York Center United Methodist Cemetery in the town of York, with a luncheon following at the Neillsville American Legion.

Ginger’s family would like to thank the staff of Three Oaks Health Services for the wonderful, loving care they showed their mother during her stay.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Ginger’s family with funeral arrangements.

PAID OBITUARY 177176