Virginia M. Tangeman

Virginia Tangeman, age 95 of Maria Stein, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen. During her final weeks, she was immersed with continuous visits from family, friends, and the amazing Elmwood staff. She was born on October 22, 1930, in St. Peter, Ohio, to the late Henry & Anna (Fullenkamp) Gaerke. On November 19, 1955, she married Robert B. “Bob” Tangeman in St Peter Church, Ft. Recovery, Ohio. Bob & Ginny were married for 60 years until Bob’s passing on May 11, 2016. There’s no doubt his life was extended many years because of Ginny’s amazing care.

Ginny is survived by six children: Nancee & Mike Winner of Greenville, Marie & Mike Everman of Celina, Jerry & Karen Tangeman of Maria Stein, Jim & Angie Tangeman of Maria Stein, Jon & Gina Tangeman of Marysville, and Scott & Linda Tangeman of Chickasaw. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, as well as siblings and in-laws: Marcey & Dick Topp, Dayton, Lillian Gaerke-Homan, Coldwater, and Dorothy Gaerke, Ft. Recovery, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ginny was preceded in death by siblings and in-laws: Lorine & Maurus Forthofer, Jerry & Irene Gaerke, Herb & Dorothy Gaerke, Leonard Gaerke, Cletus Homan, Harold & Eileen Gaerke, Luella & Walter Franck, Bernard Gaerke, Virgil & Marilyn Gaerke, Charles & Betty Gaerke, Wilma Gaerke, Wilbur & Mary Ann Homan, Henry T. Jr. & Janet Gaerke, Dorothea & Cecil Koons, Margaret & George Copeland, Norma Tangeman, Louis & Betty Tangeman; and her father and mother-in-law, Bernard & Nora Tangeman.

Ginny grew up in St. Peter and attended Ft. Recovery Schools. She graduated from Ft. Recovery High School in 1948. After High School graduation, she went to work at the former New Idea plant in Coldwater for several years. She then went on to work at Wright Patterson Air Force Base until her marriage in 1955.

Ginny was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein where she had served as a Sacristan and was a member of the St. John’s Ladies Sodality. She was a member of the Maria Stein American Legion Auxiliary Post 571 and had served as a past president. Ginny volunteered as a receptionist at the Maria Stein Shrine and was a member of the Adoration Guild. She also volunteered for Baby Creations.

Ginny enjoyed flower gardening and working alongside her family at Tangeman Orchard, and was known for her baking, especially her cinnamon rolls, cookies, and pies, simply the best! She loved playing pinochle, euchre, and 500 rum, especially with her family and friends. For over 50 years, Ginny was a member of her bridge and couples pinochle clubs. In her eighties, Ginny took up a new hobby of watercolor painting. Her family proudly displays and enjoys her many creations.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Chickasaw. Following the funeral mass, burial will take place at St. John Cemetery in Maria Stein. Friends may call from 2 until 7 pm Tuesday, March 17, and 9:00 until 9:45am Wednesday, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry. Memorial contributions may be made to the Maria Stein Shrine, or the St. John’s Church rebuilding fund. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com