Virginia "Ginger" L. Gerstenberg

November 4, 1936 – July 12, 2025

Mary Virginia Lemburg Gerstenberg, lovingly known as Ginger, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the age of 88, at a care facility in Cedar Park, Texas.

Born at home in Crystal City, Texas, on November 4, 1936, Ginger was the eldest of four children of Harold Leslie Lemburg and Mary Katherine Decherd Lemburg. Though born in South Texas, she was a proud fifth-generation Austinite and Texan, calling Austin home from the age of six.

Ginger's childhood was filled with adventure, imagination, and joy. She fondly remembered summers spent with cousins in Mason, a trip to New York with her friend Donna Peoples and her parents—where she nearly met J. Edgar Hoover—and playing with the 20+ children who lived on Kerbey Lane, where she grew up. She often recalled sitting on the steps of her grandparents’ house on Guadalupe Street, counting passing cars (a rare occurrence at the time), and then hurrying inside to listen to The Lone Ranger on the radio with her siblings. She recalled riding in a car with Donna on a hot summer day, when Donna said, "Roll the windows up so it looks like we have air conditioning," —back when that was a luxury not available in all cars.

As a young adult, Ginger’s life continued to be rich with stories. She would share how, during a lunch break on a hot August day, a co-worker's offer to give her a ride to the "Drag" may have saved her life when Charles Whitman began shooting from the Tower. A few years later, she went to see a singer her co-workers liked but whom she had never heard of—Willie Nelson. Of course, he would go on to become an icon. Ginger also hosted lab parties with her husband and brother Jimmy at the lake house, and one of the attendees would later become a Nobel Prize winner. Ginger had a gift for storytelling, and her memory for detail made her a fascinating and beloved conversationalist.

She graduated from the old Austin High School on Rio Grande in 1954, where she was a member of the choir and the Red Jackets. Ginger then attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a bachelor’s degree in science. She was proud to be the third generation of women in her family to graduate from UT—following in the footsteps of her great-aunt, grandmother, aunt, and mother. While at UT, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and began what would become a 32-year career in genetics research at UT—starting as an undergraduate and continuing well beyond graduation.

It was also at UT that Ginger met the love of her life, Robert Paul Gerstenberg. They married in 1956, beginning a loving partnership that lasted 64 years. Together they raised two children, Katherine and Eric, and built a life filled with love of family and friends.

Ginger had a deep respect for history—especially her own family’s. She was fascinated by her ancestors’ lives on the Texas frontier, including eight who lived in Texas during the time of the Republic. Her cousin, Johnny Jenkins, published Recollections of Early Texas: The Memoirs of John Holland Jenkins in 1958, chronicling the life of their great-great-grandfather, whose father was killed on the frontier and whose stepfather died at the Alamo. Inspired by her parents’ passion for genealogy, Ginger became a dedicated family historian, spending countless hours researching and sharing stories that connected generations.

She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the William Barrett Travis Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT). Ginger treasured her Texas heritage and deeply valued her involvement with the DRT.

Ginger also devoted over 30 years to the Anderson Mill Garden Club, serving in various roles including president and secretary. She loved everything about the club—from grinding corn for cornmeal to quilting with friends. She contributed to the creation of more than 15 quilts, which were raffled off to raise money for student scholarships in the Leander School District. Picking fabrics, sewing blocks, and quilting together with her fellow members brought her great joy. She even won a couple of those quilts herself—and proudly kept them as prized possessions.

Above all, Ginger was devoted to her family. She loved deeply and unconditionally and was, in turn, adored. She believed firmly in the strength of family bonds and often said, “You don’t have to agree with everyone—you just have to appreciate them because they are part of your family.”

She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Green, and son-in-law, Lynn Frazier; her son, Eric Gerstenberg; her brother, Jim Lemburg, and his husband, Sal Tavormina; her sister, Ann Perez; her step-sisters, Dorothy Dahm, Margo Hanne, and Judy Dolhof. She is also survived by her grandsons, Les and Walter Green (Angela); great-grandchildren, Adalyn and Clyde Green; step-grandchildren, James Frazier and his children Laura and JD and Misty Chichurka (Craig), and her children Justin, Jonas, and Dominick—as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mary Katherine Decherd Lemburg (Dolhof); her stepfather, Bob Dolhof; her husband, Robert Gerstenberg; her brother, William Lemburg; and her brother-in-law, Sidney Perez.

A memorial service celebrating Ginger’s life will be held on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750 and reception will immediately follow at the same location.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Gilead Hospice and The Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care over the last year and a half. Ginger deeply appreciated their kindness and dedication.

Donations may be made in Gingers name to:

Anderson Mill Garden Club Scholarship Fund

13974 FM 2769, Volente, TX 78641