Virginia Sternhagen   (English - South Intermediate School)
1927 - 2004

Sternhagen, Virginia A., Saginaw, Michigan and Torch Lake, Michigan. Age 77, lifelong Saginaw resident, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away on November 15, 2004, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by members of her family. Ginny was a member of First Christian Church. She graduated from Arthur Hill in 1945, leaving behind a legacy of high academic achievement and leadership. She was recognized for her efforts by being chosen as the recipient of the Ippel Cup, an honor awarded on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and all-around achievement. Her drive for excellence carried over into her career as she went on to earn a teaching certificate from Central Michigan University. Ginny was known for her strong work ethic and professionalism while she taught English for 26 years, first at Saginaw High School and then at South Junior High School.

She married her childhood sweetheart and husband of 56 years, Melvin Sternhagen, in 1948. Together they taught their children and grandchildren by example the importance of a loving, strong family. Always thinking of others, Ginny never dwelled on her own hardships and choose, instead, to look at the bright side of life and helped others to do the same. She was never too busy to lend a listening ear to all who sought her out. She enjoyed reading, cooking, working crossword puzzles, and telling jokes, but most of all, she loved her family. We will miss her sense of humor, her kindness, her sensible advice and her unwavering love. While we deeply mourn our loss, we take comfort in the knowledge that she has reunited with her life partner Mel now and that they are no longer apart.

She is survived by her loving family: three children, Susan (Leon) J. Hank, of Holt; John (Andrea) J. Sternhagen, of Riverdale; and Dr. Paul (Kimberly) G. Sternhagen of Freeland; and five grandchildren: Jeff, Jeannette, Sarah, Eric and Jacob. She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Sternhagen on July 4, 2004, and by mother Dorothy and father Maurice Guy also of Saginaw. Visitation hours are 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004, at W.L. Case & Co. Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Rd. in Saginaw. The funeral service is Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. (visitation at 10:00 a.m. preceding the funeral service) at First Christian Church West, 5545 McCarty Rd., Saginaw, with the Rev. Barbara Pratt presiding. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to Torch Lake Protection Alliance, P.O. Box 706, Bellaire, MI 49615; First Christian Church West; or a charity of one's choice.