Virginia B. Luedtke, 89, of DeKalb, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 12th at Lincolnshire Place of Sycamore surrounded by her family. 

She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Wilson and Blanche (Kurz) Herron. 

Virginia, called Ginny by all, attended East High School where she was involved in many clubs and activities from playing on the girls’ basketball team, to the Latin Club and working in the school library. Her father, by this time a widower, and her new step-mother encouraged her to attend Broadlawns Polk County School of Nursing which coordinated science classes at Drake University. While pursuing her training at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, she met an intern named Frank Luedtke. They married in 1957 after his internship ended. Ginny accompanied her husband to San Antonio, Texas and then to Baltimore, Maryland as her husband completed both his military service and residency. The couple then settled in DeKalb, Illinois where Ginny lived since 1963.

She was a generous stay-at-home-mom and was both chauffeur and cheerleader for her kids and their activities. Ginny volunteered at Kishwaukee Hospital, the school and public libraries. She was a homeroom mom and ran the school carnival at Jefferson Elementary for many years. She liked to relax with a good book, watch Jeopardy or play cards. For several years she was a member of seven different bridge clubs. After her kids were all grown and married, she liked nothing better than spending time with her eight grandchildren. Ginny and her husband enjoyed travelling and were quick to invite the kids and grandkids along for a “family adventure” or to visit them in sunny Florida during the winter.

Despite her progressive memory issues, Ginny and her husband were able to stay in their home of 55+ years until recently. Ginny moved to Lincolnshire in January, 2025 where she often had a smile, a wave and/or a kiss for family and staff alike.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister JoAnn and an infant daughter, Nina.

She is survived by her son Frank (Patricia), daughters Marie (Alan) Anderson and Lorna (Ron) Bemis, her grandchildren, Frank (Jaclyn) Luedtke, David Luedtke, Scott Luedtke, Janet Luedtke (Colum Wilson), Benjamin (Kayla) Anderson, Emma Anderson, Brooke (Patrick) Martelli, Brett Bemis and three great-grandchildren.  

Services will be private. 

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or the charity of your choice.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.