Service Details
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Visitation: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m.
Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
Memorial Suggestions
If you wish to honor Ginger, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Racine County Humane Society or to Hospice Alliance.
Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists
Miller's Flowers
There is no doubt that Ginger was born to entertain the world! Making her worldwide debut in Hollywood, CA on July 26, 1943 she was the youngest daughter of Mary (Dorn) and Jean Paul McDonald (both deceased) and sister to Richard and Charlotte (who have also predeceased her).
The family moved around a bit before finally settling in Rochester, MN, where Ginger had many fascinating and legendary teenage adventures which both concerned and amused her family, who’ve never stopped teasing her about them.
After graduating from John Marshall High School, she married her first husband, Darrel “Pete” Petersen, of Rochester, MN and they had two children: Daniel (recently deceased) and Kimberly. Eventually, Pete and Ginger divorced.
Ginger, Dan and Kim moved to Wisconsin, and she married LaVerne Ramsey (now deceased) and had another daughter, Stefanie. They too divorced.
After leaving a string of broken hearts behind her, Ginger met and married her soul-mate, Donovan “Mike” Wheeler, who she was with until his passing in 2004.
Ginger had a few different careers, but was most proud of her time as an LPN working in nursing homes in South Milwaukee and Racine.
Ginger and Mike were very active with the Racine Raiders semiprofessional football team, running statistics for many years, and, she frequently sang the National Anthem for their games. She was inducted (along with her husband) into the Raiders Hall of Fame in 2015. The Raiders were her second favorite football team after the Minnesota Vikings.
Ginger’s love of performing led her to become part of the annual “Cardiac Capers” fundraising event in Racine. She and a few close “Capers” friends eventually decided one show a year wasn’t enough! They began their own group, calling themselves the Penguin Players, where Ginger continued to sing, dance and flirt with unsuspecting male audience members during multiple shows a year.
Ginger never met a cat who did not immediately start following her around, and she leaves behind 3 well-loved cats: Tasha, Sassy and Bacon.
She loved cats, football, shopping, karaoke, Broadway musicals, anything with animal prints, sequins, fringe or feathers on it, the bling-iest jewelry, her cappuccino mix, unexpectedly breaking out into song in public places, hot sauce, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, and inexplicably, canned corned beef hash.
She was a Trekkie, enjoyed the Hallmark Mystery Channel, reading weekly gossip magazines, getting her hair and nails done, and was obsessive about watching the show Blue Bloods.
Ginger leaves behind 2 children, Kim Eslick (Eron) (Sorrento, FL) and Stefanie Chase (Arlington, VA), her stepchildren, Jeanne Scherer (Eric Jorgensen) Jefferson, WI, Ray Wheeler, Hedgeseville, WV and Robert (Carolyn) Wheeler of Poynette, WI, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and very many loved, cherished and close friends.
The family wishes to thank all of Ginger’s doctors and nurses at Wheaton Franciscan Hospital, Dr. Chance-Lawson, Dr. Choi, the staff of the Villa at Lincoln Center, and everyone who cared for her through the amazing Hospice Alliance. A special thanks to her stepson Bob and his wife Carolyn, her niece Debbie and especially to her niece Sandy, who was Ginger’s full time caregiver for the past few months.
We would also like to give a shout out to Tom Selleck, who everyone knows was Ginger’s one true love.
Visitation with family will be held on July 18, 2018 at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home at 10am, followed by a memorial service at 11am, with a private interment ceremony at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Union Grove the following morning at 10am.
If you wish to honor Ginger, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Racine County Humane Society or to Hospice Alliance.
Dawn says
That’s an awesome tribute to a fantastic woman. Ginger was always a force to be reckoned with, and I have so many fond memories of her…”Starkle Starkle Little Twink” is something I can still recite, thanks to her. Her heart was pure, she forgave my faults and welcomed me with open arms. She will be missed.
Mark and Linda says
With sincere sympathy to the family of Ginger. A wonderful woman, a beautiful voice…a friend who will be dearly missed. The stage is forever yours Ginger.
Jennifer Vincent says
This wonderful lady could always be counted on to bring down the house! What an amazing inspiration! My prayers and heart felt condolences to her family, her friends, and her fellow Penquins.
Al Dandeneau says
Ginger was of humor, joy, singing, and a talent in the entertainment world.
For many years, she also gave countless hours at home and away Racine Raider games, It was a pleasure to had been in the Horlick Field press box witnessing what her and cohorts achieved in the unsung position of recording every play for next day readers.
Not unsung, was her singing talent. It was heard with the singing of our National Anthem at many of the games. Her participation with the “Penguin Players” was also appreciated by so many. Ginger will be missed by scores of friends.
Sympathy goes out to her family,
Al Dandeneau
Janet McLeod Jones says
To the family of Ginger McDonald Wheeler. Ginger was one of my oldest friends, we met in High School and have kept the friendship all these years. She was a wonderful person, friendly, talented and easy to talk to. A great friend. She will always have a place in my heart. Our sincere condolences. Janet and JJ Jones
dean gotch says
ginger will be missed, but heaven is a lot more fun now
dean gotch says
will be missed say hi to mike, bob, fred and the whole raider gang up there