Virginia Marie Claassen

Virginia 'Gini' Marie Claassen, beloved sister and aunt, passed away on September 24, 2025 at 80 years old. Gini was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to Walter and Marie Claassen, the second of their two children. In 1951 the family relocated to Skokie, Illinois. Throughout her childhood Gini was a dedicated participant of the Girl Scouts, graduating from Niles West High School in 1962 as a Mariner. She continued her education at North Park College where she graduated in 1966 with a degree in education. Gini was a dedicated PE and Art teacher and spent the entirety of her 35 year career at South Middle School in Arlington Heights, IL. While teaching, Gini was also a soccer coach and coach of the school's Science Olympiad Team. She will be best remembered for the knowledge and enthusiasm she brought to all of her activities, and the love and generosity she demonstrated in all of the relationships she nurtured throughout her life. Her family misses her dearly. Gini is survived by her brother, Marshall, sister-in-law Nancy, and Kate and Walter, her niece and nephew and their partners and children.