Virginia Ione Oenning

Ginger Oenning lost her valiant battle with Cancer on 13 March 2009. She was born on November 18, 1948 to Charles and Jackie Huntley, of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Ginger will be sorely missed not only by her devoted family and friends, but all who worked with her in the medical field as a Critical Care Nurse and those she cared so tenderly for throughout her life. Ginger began her extraordinary life with Lt. Lester Oenning of Quincy, Illinois during their marriage at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas on 16 September 1967. She traveled the world with Les and their 3 children, making sure they enjoyed a family life of incredible experiences and education, while building her own nursing career along the way. All who knew her will agree she possessed an unbelievable amount of energy and dedication to accomplish every goal she set. She was an incredible cook and hostess, and possessed an intuitive ability to create a beautiful home where everyone that entered felt her warm welcome. Animals were her children as well, and many an unfortunate waif found their castle with her. Kittens and dogs alike did not want to leave her side for fear of giving up her tender hands and sweet voice to another. She was an avid downhill skier, loved horseback riding, being a soccer mom and enjoying a sunny day at the beach. In her spare time you would find her with the daily crossword puzzles; trying new recipes on her family or shopping for that unique antique for the house.

Ginger received her Two Year Nursing Degree from Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma in 1979. She completed her Bachelors in Nursing in 1988 at the University of South Florida, Tampa, and her Masters/Clinical Nurse Specialist Degree in 1999 at University of The Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She was published in a medical journal in 2003 and was a guest speaker on numerous occasions to nurses in the graduate program at the University of The Incarnate Word. She enjoyed mentoring and teaching student nurses at the Audie Murphy Memorial Veteran's Hospital as well as working with the new interns "Baby Docs" as she called them. Her 27 years of work extended to the Critical Care Units and Vascular Surgery. She loved nursing and strove to provide the best possible care for every patient she served. Ginger was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing; and an active member of the Ovarian Cancer Coalition of America, San Antonio Chapter.

Ginger is survived by her husband Les, devoted daughter Joy Christina of New York City; sons Matthew Huntley of San Antonio and Shane Michael of San Francisco; Grandson Ethan Patrick of San Antonio; and brothers Scott (Kay) Huntley of Austin, Richard Huntley of Michigan and Chad Huntley of San Antonio, TX.

Her devoted love and strong pride for her children and husband will live with them forever. A reception to Celebrate Ginger's Life will be held on 28 March 2009 between 3 and 6 PM at 19903 Encino Brook, San Antonio, Texas.

Her family kindly suggests memorials be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, San Antonio Chapter; Doctors Without Borders or the Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. P.O. Box 369, Kendalia, TX, 78027.