Virginia "Ginny" A. Dahlke

Virginia "Ginny" (Contardi) Dahlke, 92, of Yakima, Washington, went to be with the Lord, July 29th, 2014 with her daughter by her side. Ginny was born in Yakima, Washington on October 27, 1921 to Hugo & Pierina Contardi where she grew up on a dairy farm. She graduated from Yakima high School in 1939. In 1940, she married the love of her life, Ken Dahlke. Being a homemaker, gardening, cooking, collecting antiques, decorating her home and being an accomplished seamstress were some of Ginny's loves. She belonged to the Treasure Questers Antique Club, was a member of Grace of Christ (First Presbyterian) Presbyterian Church, and worked for Peoples Department Store for 20+ years where her customers became her friends. She volunteered for several years in the Yakima Valley Museum gift shop and worked on many of the quilts sewn for fundraisers, but most of all, Ginny loved being with her family.

She and her husband, Ken, moved to Englewood Heights Retirement Home in 2002 where they reunited with many of their old friends. Ginny always welcomed new residents and never knew a stranger. She loved her personal caregivers and always knew a story about each and every one of them. Ginny genuinely cared about others.

She had an unbelievable memory up until her death. She memorized phone numbers, birthdates and special occasions of loved ones and most stories she was told.

She is survived by her daughter Karen (Dennis) Green of Yakima, Grandson Brad Green of Bellevue, & Granddaughter Jenifer (Brian) Busey of Yakima. Four great-grandchildren, Garrett Green, Lexi Green, Jesica Busey and Michael Busey. She was one of five children, having three sisters and one brother - her only surviving sister (June Batt) is 91 and living in Boise, Idaho. She is also survived by many nieces & nephews who she loved dearly.

The family would like to extend a special "thank you" to the ACU nurses & staff at Yakima Regional Hospital for their exquisite, loving, care for Ginny over these past two weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Young Life or La Salle High School.

Funeral Services will be Monday, August 4th, 2014 with the burial beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Terrace Heights Memorial Park

and the service at 11:00 a.m. at Grace of Christ (First Presbyterian) Presbyterian Church.

A reception will immediately follow the service in the church Garden Room.

To share a memory of Ginny, visit www.keithandkeith.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.