Virginia Rose Darpel

Virginia Rose Korte Darpel, known as Ginny to all, of Lenexa, KS, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2022, at the age of 91. Born in Cincinnati, OH to Bernard & Agnes Korte on July 26, 1930, Ginny was the oldest of three children with two treasured brothers, Bernie and Chuck (Reggie) surviving her.

Always in pursuit of expanding her artistic nature, in her youth Ginny became an accomplished accordion player. Some of her favorite memories were created when she, her Mother and Aunt Kay would harmonize to You Are My Sunshine. Later in life, Ginny enjoyed expressing herself through her painting and lovingly gifted her ceramic works.

Shortly after high school in Covington, KY, young Ginny was embraced by the enormous Darpel family, when in 1948 she met her love and soulmate, Louis C. Darpel. Their love flourished over the next decade as the Darpel and Korte families became chosen friends and frequented the popular grandiose weekend dance hall. Ginny adored her mother Agnes, who often accompanied her. To the unwitting, their relationship appeared as best friends.

Simplicity and a carefree life of family, friends and fishing at the lake cabin were sheer joy in the early years. Many a time you could find Ginny on the dock with her line in the water and a coy smile to her betrothed holding the camera.

Ginny and Louie officially merged families on January 30, 1960 and ultimately shared another 50-golden-years until Louis’ passing in 2010. They quickly built upon their solid foundation having six children in nine years: Michael (Julie), followed by four daughters, Beverly, Diana (Pete), Linda (Scott), Barbara (James) and finally another son, Steven (Cathy), all surviving her. So much for the simple, carefree lifestyle.

True to her nature of a desire for new adventure and often pregnant with their next child, Ginny readily packed her stair-step young children and all of their belongings to move across the country and back, again and again. Of course, traveling, camping and fishing were always on the agenda.

Ginny humbly showed her powerhouse organizational skills, not just by feeding her young family three from-scratch meals a day but by volunteering to run the kitchen for the annual church Octoberfest. Not an easy feat as this was a five-day fundraiser where tens-of-thousands of Minnesotans flocked until late in the evening.

Ginny’s footing held firmly in 1975 as the family landed in the KC area with the oldest three children now teenagers. She was a force when it came to her teenage children, who were of little match. She was the kind of mother an “on jackass hill” teenager would find hunting them down when they broke the rules. Once the momma-bear position calmed, Ginny and Louis picked-up where they had left off, traveling and exploring. Their preference became the Florida coast with an en-route stop at a casino. Ever a complimentary fit, fortunately Ginny won back Louis’ loses and occasionally, a little extra.

A fully devoted fan, Ginny wouldn’t miss cheering-on Kansas Jayhawk basketball, the KC Royals and the KC Chiefs. Her sports knowledge could compete with the most avid fan as her extended family know well.

Most of all, Ginny was a woman of faith, a dedicated wife and mother. Family was foremost as she cherished and is survived by her 18 grandchildren and her 16 great-grandchildren. Ginny is also survived by loving in-laws, numerus nieces and nephews, and a host of mutually revered friends.

Ginny will be sadly missed but what she created in family, teachings and love will live on through all of the lives she has touched.