Virginia Kanthak

OTTAWA -- Virginia "Ginger" (Roose) Kanthak, 81, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, at her home. She was born Nov. 18, 1926, in Sac City, Iowa, the daughter of Alvin and Mildred Roose. She was united in marriage to Herbert Kanthak on May 29, 1948. They had three sons, Christopher, Vincent and John. Ginger attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill., and received her bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University. She worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a social worker in foster care and adoption services. With her husband, she was instrumental in founding Friendship Village of Ottawa. After retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at Friendship Village with her golden retriever, Bonnie. Ginger loved traveling, reading, needlework, opera, crossword puzzles, flower gardening, mentoring and lifelong learning. The "Betsy Ross" of Ottawa, Ginger, in the 1960s, sewed the community's first city flag. She is survived by her sons, Chris of Galesburg, Vince (Retta) of Deerfield, Wis., and John (Sue) of Rockford; grandchildren, Holly Anderson, Rachel Horne-Wayman, Justin and Kaitlin Kanthak; three great-grandchildren, Izack, Elyzabeth, and Meredyth Wayman; sister, Anne (Dean) Lundholm; cousin, Thomas (Dorothy) McCague; seven nieces and nephews; lifelong friend, Faith McVay; her beloved canine companion, Bonnie; and many other dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herb; her parents; and stepfather, Paul Meagher. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Ottawa Funeral Home with the Rev. Dale Katcher officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services. Private burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the DT Department at Friendship Village in Ottawa. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Barbara Solima for her loving care and friendship to Ginger in the last year of her life.