Virginia "Ginger" M (Gillis) Freund, age 75, of rural New Holstein "Marytown", lost her courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her loving husband, Wally, and family, at her home on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

She was born March 4, 1949, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton to Royal & Marie (Stommel) Gillis. Ginger graduated from St. Mary's High School in Menasha.

On September 21, 1968, she married Wally Freund at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sherwood. The couple lived in Marytown for the past 56 years of marriage.

She worked at North Shore Golf Course before getting married. Following her marriage, she began working at the former Tecumseh Engine Products in New Holstein where she remained until the plant closed. She retired from Sargento in Kiel a few years later.

Ginger was very active in the Calumet County 4-H Club. She also was a member of Our Lady of the Holyland Parish-St. Mary's Site where she was past president of the Altar & Rosary Society along with being an officer on the parish council. Her greatest achievements were being a forming member of the New Holstein High School Advisory Committee and also making the community center and athletic fields in Marytown what they are today. The passion to help others around her and to create smiles was her greatest joy.

"Lucky Gin" enjoyed sturgeon spearing and other numerous outdoor activities, from working in her flower beds to enjoying the cabin life with family. The grass never grew under her feet, from cleaning her house to making her famous buttermilk donuts, she always needed to be kept busy.

She is survived by her husband, Wally; her three children, Tammy Mann of St. Cloud, Shannon Freund of Kiel, and Sean Freund of Fond du Lac; three grandchildren, Lucas (Miranda) Mann, Alexis LeBoeuf (fiancé, Cole Peters), and Braedyn Kienbaum; a great-granddaughter, Sofia Grace; her brothers & sisters, Kathleen Carley of Janesville, Patrick Gillis of Reedsville, Ken (Kathy) Gillis of Virginia, Mary Jahnke of Cadott, Tom (Barb) Gillis of Sherwood, and Mike (Liz) Gillis of Appleton; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Gillis of Neenah and Gloria Gillis of Appleton; three brothers-in-law, Tom Williams of Texas, Roger (Sandi) Freund of West Allis, and Steven (Carrie) Freund of Bowler. She is further survived by nieces; nephews; other relatives, and many friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Royal & Marie Gillis; her father-in-law & mother-in-law, Melvin & Dorothy Freund; a son-in-law, Jeff Mann; her brothers & sisters, Dan Gillis, John "Jack" Gillis, Gerald "Butz" (Barb) Gillis, Paul "Pete" (Barb) Gillis, Wayne Gillis, Judy (Jerry) Weyenberg, Colleen "Coco" Williams; three brothers-in-law, Earl Jahnke, Darren Carley, & Donald Freund; a niece; and a nephew.

A Liturgy Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Our Lady of the Holyland Parish-St. Mary's Site in Marytown (N10232 County Road G, New Holstein, WI 53061). Rev. Paul Koenig, OFM Cap will officiate. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the church cemetery.

Visitation: Family and friends may visit with Ginger's family at the Sippel Funeral Home, 2618 Altona Avenue, New Holstein, WI 53061 on Sunday, March 2nd from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Visitation will also be at the church Monday morning, March 3rd from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM. A prayer service will be held at 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 2nd at the funeral home.

Ginger's family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Emily, a special friend, for always helping when needed. Also to Dr. Abbi and the Ascension cancer team as well as Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for making it possible for her to come home. Our hearts go out to the many neighbors and friends for their support during her journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to her family for the Marytown Community Center.

"Ginger is now tending to the flowers in heaven and making sure the corners are scrubbed clean"

For further information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.