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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Virginia Rystrom
VIRGINIA "GINGER" CARLSON RYSTROM
Cedar Rapids
Virginia "Ginger" Carlson Rystrom, 90, passed from this world on May 26, 2017, in St. Luke's hospice care after suffering a stroke. Services will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, with a luncheon following the burial. Friends may visit from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.
Survivors include nieces, Nancy Geiger of Cedar Rapids and Carolyn (Tom) Thiesen of Olympia, Wash., nephew, Don (Mary) Geiger of West Des Moines; a special friend, Liz Motsinger; and a whole circle of friends who loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; brothers, George and Russy; sister, Betty Geiger; two nieces, Jo Ann Wilson and Jo Elaine Funke; and many special pets, including their dog, Rufus.
Ginger was born Aug. 25, 1926, in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of Gustof Albert Carlson and Bessie Stewart Carlson. She attended ISU, where she received her degree in dietetics. There she met her future husband, Raymond Rystrom Jr. They were married on June 29, 1947. Ray and Ginger owned and operated Rystrom Engineering Co. for 31 years, retiring from that in 1985. With Ray's encouragement, Ginger became Iowa's first female registered land surveyor on April 26, 1968. Together, they surveyed and mapped several sections of Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas. Forty-second Street in Cedar Rapids was one of the major roads they planned and mapped.
In 1957, they bought land east of Marion, where they farmed and raised cattle. Ginger remained on the farm following Ray's death on May 18, 2000. In 2006, she moved to The MethWick Community, where she became an active member and volunteer.
Ginger had a love of life. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, watching birds (especially cardinals) and NASCAR racing.
Memorial donations may be directed to the family, which will be used to provide new welcome banners and other special items for the residents at MethWick.
Please leave a message or tribute on the web page at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.
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