Virginia Mae “Ginny” Griesse, 80, of Festus died Sept. 9, 2021, at the Woodlands in Arnold. Mrs. Griesse graduated in 1963 from Concordia University in Seward, Neb., with a degree in education. She spent more than 50 years as a teacher or librarian, the majority of that time dedicated to serving at Christian Outreach in Hillsboro. Her passion for music and writing led her to compose numerous songs, skits, and musicals, many of them used by Sounds of Sonshine and Kidshine during her 25 years in ministry. She also published several songbooks and made recordings of her music to be shared with others. After retiring from children's ministry, her focus shifted to writing books, and she went on to publish three children's novels. She will be remembered as kind, selfless, generous, creative and compassionate, and for the 40-plus years she and her husband devoted to Christian Outreach Church. She was born Nov. 19, 1940, in York, Neb., the daughter of the late Alice (Warkow) and Harold Rank. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years: Robert Dale Griesse.
She is survived by two daughters: Jennifer (the Rev. Russ) Dineen of Crystal City and Jane (Daniel) Lorenz of Hillsboro; two sons: the Rev. Jonathan (Valerie) Griesse of Brookland, Ark., and Jeremy (Maggi) Griesse of Barnhart; two brothers: Harold (Verna) Rank of Lincoln, Neb., and Virgil (the late Ruth) Rank of Oro Valley, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren: Joshua (Christina) Dineen, Zachary Dineen, Stephanie (Jordan) Huffman, Katherine Dineen, Elijah Griesse, Genevieve Griesse, Danielle Lorenz, Carlee Griesse, Zadok Lorenz, Andrew Lorenz, Mabel Griesse, Sylvia Griesse and Millie Griesse; and three great-grandchildren: Reagan Dineen, Macie Huffman and Emersyn Huffman.
She was preceded in death by two sisters: Oma Mustain and Wilma Purdy; and a brother: Buddy Lindsey.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main, in Festus. Private burial is in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at Christian Outreach Church in Hillsboro, officiated by Pastor Steve Miller. Memorials may be made to the Christian Outreach Church or School. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.