Virginia "Ginny" Marie Puscheck ( Kleindienst)

Virginia Marie (“Ginny”) was born in Bradford, PA on May 17,1934 to Arthur and Dorothy Kleindienst. Her dad was a pastor at Mission Church. In 1939, her father accepted the call to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Colden, NY where she spent the rest of her childhood. At the age of 10, Ginny’s neighbor would pay her a dollar to clean and bake every Saturday where she honed those pie-baking skills that so many of us have been beneficiaries of. Ginny attended a two-room schoolhouse in Colden through grade 7 and attended Springville High School through grade 12, where she graduated in 1952. As a pastor’s kid, she was able to attend Valparaiso Lutheran University where she reconnected with Melvin Puscheck, who was also a pastor’s kid, in the fall of 1952. On August 25th of 1953, Ginny earned her MRS degree when she married Mel. When Mel was first drafted to serve in the Army, Ginny lived in Colden with her parents. With the birth of their first child, Steven in October of 1954, Ginny moved to Fort Hood to be with Mel. Around the time Mel was hired as a history teacher in the North Tonawanda School System, they moved to the Perry Projects in Buffalo, NY. They eventually moved to North Tonawanda where they raised their five children: Steven, Jeffrey, Anne, John and Andrew. Ginny spent many years at St. Paul Lutheran Church where she served faithfully in different ministries including the Ladies Aid and even briefly teaching kindergarten in the Christian school with Marian Stilwell. Something life changing happened to Ginny and Mel at the age of 40. A visiting Lutheran Pastor and Evangelist came to a local church where they were presented with the challenge to know Jesus not just as Savior but as the Lord of their lives. They gave themselves over completely to Jesus and a new fire and love for God invigorated them. Ginny was never the same again. For those that knew Ginny for any length of time, they could easily see that loving God and loving people were the central motivation of her life…and that is what she spent the next 50 years of her life doing. Ginny affected so many people throughout her life. She had a witty sense of humor. She loved without judgement. A devoted member of Vanguard Church, she rarely missed a service even while going through Hospice. Every week, people would line up waiting for one of her legendary hugs which felt like a mix of your mom, grandmother and Jesus hugging you. She was an amazing mother, grandma, and great-grandma and known as a mom to many who were not even her kids. She baked countless pies for SonRays at Canal-fest, made her “funeral rice” to comfort many, and gave and gave without asking for anything back. She finally received her heart’s desire on December 28, 2024 when she went home to be with Jesus whom she loves so deeply. She is greatly missed. Friends may call Friday (January 3, 2025) from 12:00 PM to 2:00 P.M. and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Vanguard Church, 375 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, where a Memorial Service will be held Saturday at 2:00 PM. If desired memorials may be made to SonRays Ministries, or to Vanguard Church. https://vanguard.churchcenter.com/giving

Virginia "Ginny" Marie Puscheck ( Kleindienst)

May 17, 1934 - December 28, 2024