Ginni Sue Lenz passed away peacefully, surrounded by her immediate family, at her Coeur d’Alene home on May 11, 2014, after a courageous, long battle with cancer.

Ginni was born on October 15, 1963, the second youngest of nine children, to Orval and Mary Walker, in Spokane, Wash. Her family spent time living in Emmett, Idaho, and Whidbey Island, Wash., where she and her siblings were always hard at work on the farm. They enjoyed creating their own fun and were all actively involved in 4-H. Ginni enjoyed working with their farm animals and riding her horse, Smokey. She spread this passion for the outdoors to her children, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Ginni and family returned to Coeur d’Alene when she was in the 8th grade. While in high school, Ginni went to work for JUB Engineers, Inc. She remained employed for over 30 years, and devoted her time, energy and heart helping the company grow and succeed. As Office Manager, Ginni developed strong personal relationships and was the go-to girl for any assistance. Ginni brought new meaning to the word multi-tasking; she would be answering the phone, editing computer files, and running specification documents, all while having a line of several people outside her cubicle waiting to talk to her. Any children who came to the office knew where Ginni sat, because she always had a special treat for them.

Ginni graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1981, where she was a competitive and feisty three sport athlete, winning multiple state championships. This is also where she met the love of her life, Pete Lenz. Ginni and Pete married in 1982 at St. Thomas Catholic Church.

There was no such thing as “free time” for Ginni. She always had somewhere to be and things to do. When not working at JUB Engineers, or keeping books for the family business, Ginni was an active member in her community and continued her love of sports. She played competitive softball for many years, including several trips to national and world tournaments. These times formed lifelong friendships, and friends became more like family.

With her love of sports, and an even greater love of children, Ginni coached hundreds of local kids in softball, basketball, baseball and volleyball. Both her son, Jesse, and daughter, Jackie, followed mom as multi-sport athletes at CHS, and Ginni never missed any event. She was a board member of the CHS Vikings Booster Club, and a board member of the North Idaho College Athletics Booster Club, earning Booster Club Member of the Year with each organization in recognition of her relentless passion to help local student-athletes succeed. She was also an active member at St. Thomas Church.

Ginni was an avid local sports fan, and always cheering on the Mariners, Seahawks and Gonzaga basketball teams. She could often be heard chanting “Go … GU” during games. In recent years, she was able to travel with Pete to the WCC Conference Tournament in Las Vegas. In the off-season, Ginni kept busy hunting, fishing in Alaska with friends, and huckleberry picking.

Ginni was preceded in death by younger sister, Frances Cecilia. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Pete, of Coeur d’Alene; son, Jesse, and daughter Jackie (Brandon) Stotz; mother, Mary (Garvey) McFarland, of Coeur d’Alene, and father Orval Walker, of Arizona; siblings: David Walker, Debbie (Rod) Colwell, Kathy (Paul) Montreuil, Patty (Roger) Stewart, Terry Jensen, all of Coeur d’Alene, Linda (Steve) Richards, Spokane, Wash., and JoLee (Tony) Tobin, Cheney, Wash. Ginni was blessed to have 26 nieces and nephews, along with 14 great-nieces and nephews.

On behalf of Ginni, the family would like to thank the many nurses who provided such great care at the Kootenai Cancer Center, and a special thanks to Jo Bruning, Dr. Larson and Dr. Torgenson who always made her doctor’s appointments more comfortable. Donations in Ginni’s honor may be made to Relay for Life Coeur d’Alene - Team Fight Like A Girl- Ginni Lenz.

A Rosary service will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, May 18, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. A memorial mass will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, May 19, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d’Alene, with a reception to follow. 

To show your support for the fight against cancer, please wear your “FIGHT” shirt. 

English Funeral Chapel of Coeur d’Alene has been entrusted to handle final arrangements. Please visit Ginni’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.