Mary Virginia “Ginger Walsh, 94, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on June 27, 2025, at Mount Carmel Bluffs surrounded by friends and family.

According to her wishes, no visitation or formal service will be held. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road in Dubuque is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.leonardfuneralhome.com.

Ginger was born on December 27, 1930, in Dubuque, Iowa. She was the daughter of William E. “Bill” and Mary E. (Sampica) Martens. She attended St. Patrick’s grade school and graduated from the Immaculate Conception Academy in 1948. She worked at Key City Gas Company until her marriage to Mark M. Walsh on June 27, 1952. In 1976, she started a “part-time” evening job at CyCare Systems in Dubuque, which turned into a full-time career lasting over 16 years. During that time, she met so many wonderful and talented coworkers, and those coworkers turned into her extended family – many of whom remained very close personal friends with her to this day. After retiring, she enjoyed playing golf again, along with playing and hosting “Euchre Club” and was an especially avid reader.
She was a daily fixture at the noon masses at St. Joseph’s Church and every Saturday night at St. Raphael’s Cathedral. She always looked forward to, and enjoyed, her annual trips to California to see her sister, Nancy and her family, and her trips to Texas and Florida to visit her son and daughters.

Ginger truly loved life and everything nature; flowers, trees, birds and animals. She had a ‘natural green thumb’ and could grow flowers in a desert. She loved her daily backyard feeding ritual of taking care of the birds, chipmunks, rabbits and squirrels, when the weather allowed and would always make room in the kitchen or on the back porch for the neighborhood kitties for a quick bite of kibble, or a drink of water (God bless you ‘Greggor’).

Ginger is survived by her husband, Mark of 73 years, and her three children: Deborah L. Dewsnap of Port Richey, Florida, Dr. Christopher J. (Tammy) Walsh of Cape Coral, Florida, and Stephanie A. (Luke) Ginn of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Her grandchildren, Ashley A. Cooney (Brian) of Austin, Texas and Johnathon T. Walsh of Dallas, Texas. Ginger is also survived by her sister Nancy Winning, and her three children Mike, Sara and Matthew, whom she loved as her own.

Ginger was preceded in death by her parents; her bother William J. “Red” Martens (2016) and Thomas G. “Gus” Martens (2020).

Ginger was especially grateful for the many years of friendship she shared with Mary Rickey, Mary Ervolino, Deborah Block, Marvin Ney, Jean Weiland, and Joanie McCarthy. Sincere thanks and heart-felt appreciation must also be given to her wonderful neighbors; Dianne and Kevin Koch and Karen Craig. Additionally, many thanks again to Marvin Ney at Paramount Ambulance, and to the caring, compassionate and talented professionals and staff at both Medical Associates and MercyOne Hospital in Dubuque. Thank you for always making Ginger your priority. God bless you all and keep you safe.