Ginger M. Pawlak, 64, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, Illinois.  Ginger was born on June 16, 1959 to Louis DesChamp and Cecilia Mary Daye in Dunseith, ND. Later she was adopted by Gerald and Glenda (Fletcher) Trauthwein.  On September 26, 1987, she married Mark Pawlak in Las Vegas, NV.

Over the years, Ginger loved being a nanny.  She also worked several years at Walmart. Ginger enjoyed being outdoors beautifying the yard and working on the house.  The time spent with Mark traveling in their motor home was always a special time.  Her dogs, Maxi, Noelle, Basia and Meesha were like their children along with multiple cats, her most recent one, Vegas. She was an active member of Lindenwood Union Church.

Ginger is survived by her husband of 35 years, Mark Pawlak of Lindenwood, IL; brother, Greg Trauthwein of Delavan, WI; sister, Alfreda Longie of Dunseith, ND; mother-in-law, Barbara (Karl) Riess of Rochelle, IL; brother-in-law, Adam (Sarah) Riess of Ingelside, IL; sister-in-law, Kathy (Mike) Mullen of Huntley, IL and good friends: Deanna Hurd of AZ, Alice Bell of MO, Juana Kingsbury of Lindenwood, IL and Ollie Bernardin of Kings, IL; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ginger is preceded in death by two brothers: Glenn and Titus; sister, Carol; sister-in-law, Myra Bahr and her good friend, Paula Hart.

There will be a memorial service at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Lindenwood Union Church, 101 Galena St., Lindenwood, IL with Pastor Hilary Van Utt officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.  Cremation care has been provided by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle.  Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me. please try to understand, That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand; The angel said my place was ready, In Heaven far above, And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But when I walked through Heaven's Gates, I felt so much at home, for God looked down, smiled at me. And told me "Welcome Home.  So when tomorrow starts without me.  Don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart.