Kline, Ginna (Coultrap) Age 82, of Minneapolis, died January 20, 2022. Virginia Margaret was born in Chicago on April 17, 1939 to James W. and Virginia (Ginny) Coultrap. Ginna spent a happy childhood, with sister Barbara and brother Jim, in Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale, Illinois. Following in her father's footsteps, she attended Ohio Wesleyan, where she received a B.A. (Phi Beta Kappa) in zoology in 1961. A meaningful church-sponsored work trip to Puerto Rico led Ginna next to divinity school. She loved her years at Yale, where she was among only a handful of female students; she received a Master of Divinity degree in 1964. After a year working in New Haven as Director of Christian Education at Church of the Redeemer, Ginna accepted a position in Minneapolis as Director of Christian Education at Mayflower Church, where she established its adult education program. Although she had never been to Minnesota, she adapted to life here with gusto: skiing, skating, swimming, and sailing became fast interests. She and Jane Hanger, a Yale friend, with whom she was close friends for the rest of her life, were roommates in Minneapolis, where in the same apartment building, she met and fell in love with George Kline. They married in 1968 and welcomed a daughter, Peggy, in 1972. After five years as Director of Christian Education at Mayflower, Ginna decided it was time for a new direction and attended the University of Minnesota to become a preschool teacher her true calling. She taught preschool at the YWCA in downtown Minneapolis, and in 1977, the family moved to New City, NY. While in New York, Ginna continued to dedicate her time to parenting and teaching preschool. However, she missed Minnesota, and in 1981, the family moved back to Minneapolis, where Ginna took a preschool teacher position at Mayflower Church. There she spent the next 24 years fostering the learning and development of four and five-year-old children. Ginna was an energetic, smart, cheerful, and most of all kind person, who loved her family. She helped care for her grandchildren, volunteered in her daughter's and grandchildren's schools, and knit countless prayer shawls for people at her church. She ran before running was popular and tap-danced into her 70s, performing in sequined costumes at recitals. She adored reading, Golden Retrievers, and time at their family cabin. She also loved to laugh. Ginna has left her family and friends with many happy memories, as well as her values of education, hard work, humor, and, above all, good character. Ginna is survived by her husband George, daughter Peggy (Kip) Kirkpatrick, grandchildren Grace, Betsy, and Harry, sister Barbara (Dick) Zachar, brother Jim Coultrap, nieces, cousins, and many friends. A memorial and celebration of Ginna's life will be scheduled for springtime. Memorials are preferred to Mayflower Church or RAGOM (Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota).

Published on January 23, 2022