Ginger Anna Starke

Starke, Ginger Anna 49, of New Hope, MN, passed away peacefully on New Year's Day, 2025 after a ten year battle with Huntington's Disease. She was at Tadd's Lighthouse in Buffalo, MN, her group home of eight years, surrounded by her loving mom, Stephanie, her mom's good friends, Julie and Kerry Smith, and her special caregiver, Tony. They were listening to the song, "Home Free" when Jesus wrapped His loving arms around Ginger and welcomed her into Heaven. We are so thankful she began the New Year at home with Jesus, whom she loved so much. Ginger was born September 8, 1975, and graduated from Robbinsdale-Cooper High School in 1994. From age five to eighteen, dancing was her passion. She attended classes at The Dance Shoppe, competing in many local and national competitions, and receiving numerous awards. It is where she met her lifelong best friend, Nikki Thielen, in 1983. Ginger and Nikki also loved roller skating and went every Saturday to SkateLand for many years. They formed an unbreakable bond and always kept in touch, even though life took them on separate paths. After high school, Ginger worked at Byerly's restaurant in Golden Valley as a hostess for seven years. She then decided to work in retail clothing for fourteen years. This fueled Ginger's growing love for fashion, resulting in her amassing an enormous wardrobe (all on sale of course!). Ginger was a believer in Jesus from an early age, and was involved in Crystal Evangelical Free Church as a Pioneer Girl for many years. She was confirmed at Faith Lilac Way Church, then returned to Crystal Free to complete her junior and senior high Bible classes. She also attended many yearly retreats at Camp Shamineau, along with her mom. In 2014, sadly, Ginger was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, which has no cure. Ginger was strong and a fighter until the end, and her great sense of humor helped her and those around her cope with this debilitating disease. Ginger received much loving care the past eight years from many caregivers and staff at Tadd's Lighthouse, for which her family is forever grateful. Ginger was preceded in death by her infant brother Andrew in 1981, her father Fred in 2023 and both sets of grandparents. She is survived by her mother Stephanie, brother Jeff, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Goodbye for now, "Ginger-snap" (as Nikki called you). Keep dancing, sweetie, until we see you again! A Celebration of Life for Ginger will be held Saturday, January 18th, at Washburn-McReavy Chapel, 4239 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale, MN. Visitation 10-11 AM, Service 11-12. Lunch to follow. Interment at 1:15 PM at Gethsemane Cemetery, 8151 42nd Ave, N., New Hope, MN. Memorials preferred to Tadd's Lighthouse, Buffalo, MN.