Gina Jo Wagner (nee Mechtenberg)

Gina Jo Wagner (nee Mechtenberg) obituary, Chicago, IL

Gina Jo Wagner (nee Mechtenberg)

Gina Wagner (nee Mechtenberg) Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Oct. 23, 2024.
Gina Jo Wagner (nee Mechtenberg) was born September 27, 1979 in Parkston, South Dakota, the daughter of Paula Juhnke and Thomas Mechtenberg. Gina was raised in South Dakota, a place she always cherished and often returned, before moving to Evansville, Indiana at the age of nine.

It was there she attended Evansville Lutheran School before graduating from Memorial High School in 1998. Upon graduation from high school, she enrolled at the University of Iowa where she spent four wonderful years studying and making lifelong friends, many who she met through her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. She graduated in 2002 with a BA in Communication Studies and Business Administration.

Upon graduation from the University of Iowa, Gina moved to Miami, Florida where she began her career with Lanier Worldwide. Gina loved her time in Miami and made many friends and memories. It was in Miami where she accepted a position with Cook Medical where she would spend two decades building a career based on dedicated work ethic, mentoring and leading her sales team to achieve growth year after year. She built strong relationships with all who crossed her path and was recognized often for her sales leadership skills winning National Sales Manager of the Year in 2021 among many other awards throughout her career. Her division at Cook Medical was acquired by Cooper Surgical in January 2024 and this is where she finished her career as National Sales Director of Specialty Surgery. Gina's legacy will live on through the newly established Gina Wagner Sales Excellence Award which celebrates all of Gina's best memorable attributes as a dedicated leader.

Gina moved to Chicago briefly before a move to Phoenix and then returned to Chicago where she would make her permanent home. Gina put so much emphasis on friendship and actively started Book Clubs, Theatre Clubs and Dinner Clubs wherever she lived. She enjoyed traveling, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, winning her Fantasy Football League multiple times and socializing with her many friends. She valued friendship and made sure she was always present and actively involved in her many friends' lives.

Gina always wanted to get married and have children and it was in Chicago where she met her perfect partner, Matthew. After a whirlwind romance, Matt proposed in O'Hare Airport as Gina was returning from a work trip. They were married on September 19, 2015. They loved traveling, nice dinners, and making their house a home in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Above all else, they loved spending time together. On December 1, 2018, they welcomed their son, William John, to the family and on February 3, 2021 they completed their family with the arrival of Joseph Thomas. Gina's boys were her greatest blessings and she dedicated every possible moment to spending time and making memories with them. Gina started many traditions which they will continue including the annual Polar Express train ride and always putting the Christmas tree up as early as possible. Anything Gina's boys loved, she loved. Her face lit up when she talked about Will and Joe and she had no greater love than being a mother.

Gina's life changed forever in December of 2020 when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colorectal cancer. It was a devastating diagnosis, but Gina committed herself to fighting as hard as she could and doing everything she could to live and be present for her family and friends. She endured countless rounds of chemo, multiple rounds of radiation, and many difficult surgeries to continue living as long as possible. She traveled all over the country seeking out the best surgeons, oncologists, and newest treatment options. She not only fought for herself, but became an advocate for others becoming actively involved in the Colontown community as well as with the Colorectal Alliance. She was the Keynote Speaker at the Blue Hope Bash in May 2024 delivering a powerful speech to highlight the need for advocacy and funding for this terrible disease. Gina showed grace, courage and determination no matter how much she was suffering, never giving up hope that there would be a trial or treatment that would enable her to live longer. She wanted so badly to live for her boys.

Gina lost her battle on October 20, 2024, but her presence remains strong. She is survived by her husband Matt and sons William and Joseph of Chicago, Illinois, her father Thomas (wife Alex) Mechtenberg and sister Melissa all of Costa Rica, her mother, Paula Brinkley, Evansville, Indiana, her grandmother, Joyce Mechtenberg, Parkston, South Dakota and her grandmother, Darlene Juhnke, Milltown, South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Jeanne and William Juhnke and her grandfather, John Mechtenberg.

Gina and her family are forever grateful to the medical teams at Northwestern, Duke, City of Hope, and Yale who provided compassionate care during the last nearly four years of Gina's life. They are also forever thankful to the many family and friends who stepped in to help and support them in their journey.

Memorials may be made in Gina's name to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance https://colorectalcancer.org/get-involved/give/donate-now.

Above all, Gina and her family would like for you to get your colonoscopy!

A Mass will be held at Noon on November 16, 2024 at St Clement Church (642 W Deming Pl, Chicago, IL 60614), followed by a reception where all friends and family are invited to share memories of Gina.

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Not sure what to say?

October 29, 2024

John Purdon posted to the memorial.

October 27, 2024

Thomas Cherry posted to the memorial.

October 27, 2024

Thomas Cherry posted to the memorial.

John Purdon

October 29, 2024

Matt and family, you have my deepest condolences. I am praying for you and your family.
John Purdon

Thomas Cherry

October 27, 2024

Truly grateful for all the memories...

Thomas Cherry

October 27, 2024

Too many to share...

Thomas Cherry

October 27, 2024

More COOK memories to share...

Thomas Cherry

October 27, 2024

Sure, Gina's journey began with her family and then sorority sisters in Iowa, but her career at Cook Medical for over two decades became a significant part of her life. Her 'work' family grew through the years, and her commitment and zeal to help patients and customers were truly inspiring. Those of us who worked with her cherish the legacy she left behind. Gina made an immediate impact in Critical Care, and her vibrant spirit and resolve were evident to anyone who worked with her in Miami, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and finally Chicago.

Her career took a new turn in 2012 when she joined a start-up within a larger organization in Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS), eventually leading the sales team for over a decade. Her contributions included introducing new minimally-invasive treatments, fostering careers in medical device sales, and mentoring sales managers. The joy and appreciation from her team and customers, and the shared moments of laughter, are fondly remembered through photographs.

Later, Gina focused on advocating for women's leadership opportunities within COOK, aiding in the development of a 5-year plan for WIO (Women in Otolaryngology) that influenced the MedTech industry's collaboration with professional societies like AAO-HNS. Her pioneering efforts continue to shape OHNS, with a new company taking forward the program she helped establish. Her influence will touch many young female surgeons, who may be unaware of her role, but we remember.

We hope that Matt, Will, JoJo, the Mechtenberg and Wagner families find comfort in seeing Gina through our experiences at COOK. She was dedicated, passionate, focused, organized, and tenacious, yet also nurturing and enjoyable to be around. We are all deeply thankful for the time we shared with Gina and, while we will miss her presence, she will always be remembered in our hearts and minds.

With love,
Gina's 'work' family

Troy Wingler

October 26, 2024

I met and started working with Gina a little over a decade ago. While most of our time was spent together was for work, we tried to enjoy the time together with colleagues whenever possible. I have so many great memories shared with Gina. Here are a few pics of some great times. Fly high sweet friend!

John Chynoweth

October 26, 2024

I will be forever grateful to Gina for giving me my big break to get into Medical Device Sales. I am deeply sorry for you loss Matt, William, and Joseph. I remember when Gina first met Matt and have enjoyed several times together with the two of them. Gina was an inspiration to all she met.

Joe Whalen

October 25, 2024

I met Gina at the Chicago Blue Hope Bash. My prayers and deepest sympathies to her family.

Felizitas Kral-Rechnitzer

October 25, 2024

We had the pleasure to meet Tom Mechtenberg and his sisters in Vienna in 2019. After this heartfully meeting I got a lot of information to create a family tree and for sure, Gina is in this tree where she will stay forever. I feel the unbelievable loss with her husband, her sons and her parents. R.I.P. pretty Gina.

Gabriel Hofmann

October 25, 2024

I pray that the Holy Spirit be with your family. Rest in peace, and keep smiling that big warm smile Gina.

Melissa Bair

October 24, 2024

I met beautiful Gina when her and Matt were in town to meet up with my daughter Nicole and my son-in-law Andy. She was a warm and friendly and I knew she was going to make an excellent mother. I was so honored that they invited me to be there at Will's birth. We are heartbroken that she is gone and send loving thoughts and prayers to Matt, the boys, and the whole extended family. Rest in peace, sweet girl.

Andrew Sutton

October 24, 2024

Rest in peace Gina.

Brian J. DeVault

October 24, 2024

Gina and I were in the same class ('98) at Memorial

Deonne Taylor

October 23, 2024

God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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Not sure what to say?

October 29, 2024

John Purdon posted to the memorial.

October 27, 2024

Thomas Cherry posted to the memorial.

October 27, 2024

Thomas Cherry posted to the memorial.