Virginia "Ginger" M. Hong

Virginia “Ginger” Mae Hong, 77, of Osseo, WI, passed away Sunday, June 18th, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family. 

Virginia, known to everyone as “Ginger” because she disliked Virginia immensely, was born April 6th, 1946 to Robert and Henrietta (Geist) Smith.  She was raised in Eau Claire where she attended Regis High School. Following high school, she married Larry Guthie and had two wonderful children, Brenda and Scott.  She later went back to school for cosmetology and began to cut hair at the London Square Mall.

She began dating her great love, Marvin Hong in 1987 and they were later married in June of 1988.  They built their dream house in Osseo, which included her in-home hair salon that later became her very own business, Ginger’s Curl and Tan.  They were together by each other's side until Marv’s passing in 2013.

Ginger loved to garden and took pride in her flower beds.  She also loved to shop, especially yearly yard saleing trips to Woodbury, MN and going black Friday shopping with family.  She loved collecting oil lamps, and she made sure all 156 had a place in her home. 

Ginger had one of the biggest hearts and loved without prejudice.  Everyone was treated as family, and she never hesitated to help anyone in need. She was the center of our family and loved her role as Grandma and Great-Grandma “Bubby” or "Grandma Popcorn".     

She was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Marvin Hong; son-in-law, Tim Schreiner; sisters, Connie Little and LaVonne Larson; brother, Jay Smith; brother-in-law, Gordy Hong; and sister-in-law, Elaine (Ardell) Hogstad; nephews Brian and Michael Little; her beloved dog Ruger.

Ginger leaves behind her children Brenda (Bill Machler) Guthrie, Scott (Nicole) Guthrie; step-children, Glen (Amy) Hong, Julie (Jon) Schreiner Deetz, Todd (Sue) Hong; grandchildren Kristian (Richard) Parr, Anna (Bryan) Franson, Klarissa (Mack) Berry, Shandell (Jonathon) Zeh, Amber (Cody) Peterson, Mitchell Tollefson, Joleen Tollefson,  Emma Tollefson, Neal Tollefson, Tyler Schreiner, Tera (Jesse Urbank) Schreiner, Samantha (Adam) Nelson, Nicole (Nicholas Thomas) Lyda, Nathan Roach, Kelsey (Jacob) Rogness, Jacob Hong, Mitchell (Caitlyn Kozik) Hong, Kevin (Kelsey) Deetz, and Katlyn (James) Weber; great grandchildren Huston, Kaylee, Allison, Brandon, Odin, Nolan, Autumn, Isaac, Malcolm, Meadow, Lilly, Elynore, Iris, Scarlett, Kenley, Hudsyn, Berklee, Lena; siblings Greg (Ann) Smith, Jeff (Dar) Smith, Jon (Sue) Smith; sister-in-law and dear friend Harriet Hong and brother-in-law Seymour Larson; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.   

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 3:00pm at Hulke Family Funeral Home in Eau Claire with Pastor John Van Gorkom officiating.  Visitation will be held on Thursday at 2:00pm until the time of service.  Burial will take place at the Osseo Cemetery.  

The family would like to thank the nurses with St. Joseph’s Hospice for their wonderful care of Ginger. 

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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