Virginia L. 'Ginger' Kline, 80, Sanborn

A private memorial service for Virginia L. “Ginger” Kline will be held at a later date. Sanborn Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

Virginia Lee “Ginger” Kline was born in Spencer on Sept. 3, 1943. One of three daughters of Millard “Wilson” and Margaret (Follon) Drury, she grew up on the family farm north of Everly along with her sisters, Rita and Frankie. She attended school in Everly, graduating from Everly High School with the Class of 1961. During her school years Ginger enjoyed sports, playing organ for their church and had a fondness for all sorts of animals. She had a big heart, a great smile and loved life.

The night of her high school graduation, Ginger took her first adventurous ride with a girlfriend and her relatives heading to Omaha, Neb. The girls spent their first night at the YMCA, finding jobs and a place to live the next day – they were ecstatic to finally be out on their own. A year later, Ginger’s family was planning a trip to California and invited her and her roommate to come along. Not only did they accept, but they also decided to leave Omaha and start something new in California, staying with relatives while they looked for jobs and living quarters.

While in California, Ginger met and married Lee Welch. Together they had one son, Gregory. Ginger stayed home for a while, taking care of Greg and doing foster care. During this time she made and finalized plans to own her own sporting goods store situated in a small mall in Walnut, Calif. When her marriage ended, she focused more of her attention on her business. It not only sustained her through a difficult time, but it also became a big part of her life for many years.

Ginger married Paul Kline, eventually sold the store and moved to Reno, Nev. She was employed as an administrative assistant for a plumbing company located there. After her father’s death Ginger moved her mother from Sun Lakes, Ariz. to Reno, being her loving caretaker for the next nine years while also working full time. When the plumbing company pulled up stakes Ginger opted to stay in Reno, taking on a variety of jobs. Her favorites were being a top-notch car salesperson and an antiques dealer.

Paul and Ginger moved to Del Webb Retirement Community once they both quit working. Ginger enjoyed meeting many new friends, joined a book club and Bible study, played bridge and belonged to a pool league. She also loved watching or going to basketball games and walking her dog around the neighborhood.

Paul’s health had been declining for some time and Ginger found herself having memory issues. After Paul passed away she moved to Brea, Calif. to be closer to Greg. When Greg died, Ginger established her residence at Prairie View in Sanborn. It became her home and support group for almost five years until her passing on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Ginger took her last “adventurous ride” at the age of 80 years.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Paul Kline; her son, Greg; her parents and grandparents; brother-in-law, Lowell Rinehart; and nephew, Zane Rinehart.

Left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren: Zack (Alissa) Welch, of La Verne, Calif.; Brettley (Brady) Welch Long, of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; and Mason (Lorraine) Welch, of Chino Valley, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Jill Welch, of Chino Hills, Calif.; sisters: Rita (Dick) Goeken, of Hartley; and Frankie Rinehart, of Highmore, S.D.; cherished step-children and step-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many friends.