Mary (Ginger) Virginia Lehmann

Mary (Ginger) Virginia Lehmann, age 64, passed away on Jan. 13th, 2017 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Ginger was residing in Nixa, Mo., but had spent the majority of her life in Nevada. Visitation will occur at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada on Jan. 19, at 10 a.m. A private viewing will be available during visitation. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. immediately following the visitation.

Ginger was born in La Jolla, Calif., on Feb. 16, 1952, to George Edmund and Anna Louise (Ramey) Patroske. Ginger spent her very early years in California before moving with her family to Arkansas, then Missouri, to begin her advanced education. She spent her entire career as a nurse in multiple specialties. In 1971 Ginger received her Licensed Practical Nurse certification. She practiced nursing at Nevada Regional Medical Center until retirement in 2009. She attended Cottey College and Pittsburg State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1984. During her 38-year long nursing career she specialized in surgical and obstetric nursing. She also used her nursing talents in training and education, ambulatory care, and home health. Her thirst for knowledge, attention to detail, procedural focus, and thoroughness, impacted the lives of her coworkers and patients alike. Her patients were known to describe her as wonderful, caring, and the best nurse they ever had. Away from work, Ginger heavily engaged her children in many recreational activities offered in the Nevada community. She utilized Nevada tee ball, baseball, basketball, soccer, dance, gymnastics, community theatre, cub scouts, girl scouts, 4-H, community choir, church and high school speech and debate to ensure that her children had every opportunity that was not available to her during her childhood. Ginger loved and devoted much time to flower gardening and planting. So much, that this at times was to the dismay of her son and anyone else that may have mowed her yard. Her passion was providing for her children and grandchildren. There was never an unmet need of any of children or grandchildren. Additionally, there may have only been few unmet wants. All of her "Biggest Blessings" called her Na Na.

Ginger was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Louise Patroske; mother and father in-law, Elmo and Hedwig Pilcher; one brother, Johnny Wilson; one sister, Jeanette McCracken; sister-in-law, Gerdi Beaman; and niece, Jennifer Patroske. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Karen Lehmann of Nixa, Mo.; daughter, Regina, and son-in-law, Michael Bennett, of Marshfield, Mo.; ten grandchildren, Jesse Bennett, Lydia Bennett, Gideon Bennet, Samuel Bennett, Alek Zander Bennett, Felix Bennett, Thaddaeus Bennett, Naomi Bennett, Anthony Lehmann and Elijah Lehmann; brother, Jimmy, and wife, Marilyn Patroske of Osceola, Mo.; brother, Walter, and wife, Phyllis, of Yuma, Ariz.; three nieces, Mary Hargrove, Jessica Adamson and Rachel Shepard. Additional survivors include Karl Lehmann; stepsons, Karl Lin and Robert Lehmann; and stepdaughter, Kandi Gendron; sisters-in-law, Malita Roby, Mina Dressler, Caron Rumans, Marian Spencer; brother-in-law, Leroy Pilcher; and many other nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Ginger was a Bible believing Christian and is enjoying her heavenly home. The memories we all share of her will be treasured forever. Special thanks to Lead Pastor Lawrence Wilson and the congregation of Life Church in Nevada, and Pastoral Care Pastor Mark Wright of James River Church in Ozark, Mo.