Virginia (Ginger) Rae Avery Henninger, most recently of Middleton, Idaho, was reunited with her beloved Doug as well as her sisters, parents and daughter on Friday October 25, 2024, at the age of 87.
Ginger was born on August 10, 1937, in Milo, Idaho as the second of four children born to Cle and Edna Avery. Her formative years were spent in St. Anthony, Idaho, where she graduated from South Fremont High School in 1955. Following high school, she attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.
She married Kent Killian on December 11, 1959, and was blessed with five children. They raised their children in Issaquah, Washington, where they owned and operated multiple dry cleaners. Ginger was known for organizing family gatherings on a regular basis with friends and relatives in the area which often included her brother Larry, sister Shirley, and their families.
Upon accepting a job with Continental Airlines they relocated to Houston, Texas. She took full advantage of her flight benefits and traveled to all corners of the world. In her later years, she often relived her memories by talking about her trips to Russia, New York, Hawaii, Spain, and many other places. She truly enjoyed the places and especially the people she met on these trips. Her mother often accompanied her on these trips which was a highlight in both of their lives.
On February 7, 2002, Ginger married Douglas Henninger, the love of her life. They were later sealed in the Boise Idaho Temple. Ginger enjoyed being with and spoiling “her Doug”, their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. If there was a gathering or party, they were usually involved. She loved helping Doug, a skilled craftsman, add upgrades to their home in Middleton, Idaho.
Ginger was active and served faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She lived her life as a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
She enjoyed reading and loved writing poetry, becoming an award-winning poet. She was very proud of “Ponderings,” a self-published book of her original work.
In her final days she reminded anyone who would listen that she had had “a very good life” and was “so blessed”. She genuinely loved everyone she met and always had an infectious smile which she shared unselfishly.
Ginger was preceded in death by her parents, Cle and Edna Avery, her husband Douglas Henninger, sisters Shirley Harris and Diane Siddoway, and her daughter Pamela Killian.
She is survived by 4 children: Robert, Tim (Estefania), Barry (Shannon) and Kathy, her brother Larry (Ruth), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her extended family wishes to thank the dedicated staff and residents at Streamside Assisted Living in Nampa, Idaho, and the members of the Nampa 7th Ward for taking such great, tender and loving care of her in her final years.
She was laid to rest on November 4th in the Middleton Cemetery. A family memorial dinner will be held for her on November 9th in Seattle, Washington. Her friends and extended family in Idaho will hold a celebration of her life on November 16th in Nampa.