Cade, Ginger Elaine

A celebration of the life of Ginger Elaine Cade will take place on August 5, 2010. Ginger passed away on Monday, July 26, 2010, with her wife by her side.

Ginger, 36, was born in Illinois, the daughter of Stanley Cade and Donna Gulley. She attended Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary & Special Education and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. Once completed, she worked at ISU as the Storms Hall director, followed by her tenure at Saint Mary's University (Winona, Minn.) in the Office of Residence Life and Office of Institutional Research. Ginger returned to Iowa State in 2004, and retired from her position as Classification Officer in ISU's College of Liberal Arts & Sciences in July 2006, due to her progression with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).

Ginger was a poet, a scrapbooking enthusiast and an advocate of civil rights. A dedicated wife to Nicci and mother to Connor, she is also survived by her parents, Stan and Donna; stepmother, Amanda Cade; sister, Lauren Cade; uncle, Montelle Cade; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Ardyce Port; and numerous siblings-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Viewing and visitation with Ginger's family will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. August 5 at Collegiate United Methodist Church, Ames, in the gathering space and terrace area. The celebration of Ginger's life will take place the same day at ISU Knapp Storms Commons with a social hour from 8 to 9 p.m. and a 9 p.m. Celebration.

Contributions to the memorial fund established in Ginger's name or transplantable plants are welcome in lieu of cut flowers. Details about services and Ginger's memorial fund can be found at www.team-g.net

Online condolences may be sent to

Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.