GINA LYNN ROSS (ZARNS), age 46, of St. Francis and formerly of Isanti, passed away on the 16th of July 2016 after a courageous battle against GBM cancer. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, East Bethel with Pastor Micah Pearson officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. Friday, July 22nd at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel and also one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Interment will be in Isanti Union Cemetery.
Gina was born on March 18, 1970 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to James and Bonita (Crawford) Zarns. She attended school in Blaine, Isanti-Cambridge, and graduated from Cambridge in 1988. Gina attended Northwestern and Mankato State, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. Gina worked at the Anoka Court House for 18 years.
Gina married Brian Ross on December 29, 2007. She loved family and friends. She also enjoyed camping, fishing, shopping, magazines and make up, and her kitty, Jack. Gina was kind and thoughtful and always had a smile to share.
Gina Lynn Ross (Zarns) passed away on the 16th of July 2016 after a courageous battle against GBM cancer. Gina was preceded in death by her grandparents.
Gina is survived by her husband, Brian; parents, Jim and Bonita Zarns; sister, Missy Opatz; nephew and nieces, Brandon (Kari) Opatz, and Kelsey Opatz; step-children, Elizabeth and Antonio Ross; mother-in-law, Susan Green; brothers-in-law, Steven Ross and Andrew Ross; sister-in-law, Jennifer (Norm) Lieberman; niece and nephew, Jayna and Nathan; step-grandchildren, Alyvia and Adrian; and two godchildren, Brianna and Spencer.
I met Gina when I was 14 years old working at The Meadows in Ham Lake as a dishwasher. She would offer to drive me home during the winter when I couldn’t ride my bike back because of the snow. Our friendship instantly bloomed to an inseparable duo (Walmart Runs, Casino Nights, Midnight Perkins Dinners just to name a few).
Gina always put others first, ahead of herself in every situation. She was a true giver in every sense of the word. Even when she got sick, she always wondered how everyone else was doing first. Gina taught me many things about compassion, acceptance, tolerance, and esp. forgiveness.
My family accepted her has an extension and I felt like she was another sister I was lucky to have. I will forever cherish all the fun loving times we had together and all the laughable tears we shared. You helped me grow into the man I am, and it will be hard hitting the big 40 this year without you.
Gina, you will be very much missed. Love you always!
Our Gina has gone to be with Jesus and our hearts are truly heartbroken. I met Gina at River of Life Church in St. Francis in 2000. We became instant friends and we were there for each other in good times as well as not so good times. We did so many things together from working together, bible studies, shopping, and the list could go on and on. Gina was like a daughter I never had. She was my angel on earth and a true gift from God for all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of her family and we pray the Lord with sustain and comfort you through this painful time. It is so very hard to lose a loved one. Gina was so special to us as well as so many other people. We will miss Gina and she will always be in our hearts.
I worked with Gina at the Court house, BUT I was truly blessed to call her my friend also.
I will miss her, she was a beautiful person inside and out. The world is a darker place with her light missing.
Gina had such a kind, loving and beautiful spirit. She was sweet and gentle but could switch up and display humor, candor and striking insight in the same breath.
She radiated her love of Jesus everywhere she went and was an inspiration to me and strengthened and encouraged my faith.
Our loss is tragic and unbearable but the impact she had and difference she made in the short time we had her was immeasurable. Until we meet again, Gina Lynn Zarns Ross ♡♡♡
I am Michael Barnes’ Aunt and Gina has been part of our family for many years. I want Gina’s family to know we share your sorrow in the loss of your dear Gina who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. I will miss her lovely smile, sweet nature, and genuine kindness. What a treasure! I am left with wonderful memories of our get-togethers, and it makes me especially happy remembering the fun Gina and Michael had over the years. I will miss listening to their stories, but cherish the ones Michael will retell.
Gina was here for what seems like too short a time, but she will never be forgotten. I will pray for all who were blessed to have known her that they find comfort knowing she is now in her Lord and Saviors loving care.
I have know Gina since 2003. We clicked instantly when I would submit court reports to her. When she told me she was getting married, I interofficed her pictures of some sky blue bridesmaids dresses and we would giggle about how 1970’s they were.
Several years ago I met Gina, her adorable niece and her parents to discuss some work related issues Gina trusted me with. I felt honored she wanted me to meet her family.
Later she would share stories about her stepchildren with me.
I thank her cousin for updating me on Gina for the past year.
I will always remember dropping off court reports to Gina and laughing constantly!
I will always a Happy Hour I shared with Gina and Jen L.
Thank you Gina for being my friend. I love u! Until we meet again!!! Love, Eileen Waterman
Gina came out to Phoenix to meet our side of the family, it was meeting someone you had known for years. She was a very special soul. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone and would always had a special glow about her. I took video of Gina and Brians wedding as well as still shots she was like a winter Queen and Brian her King. I will always hold those memories close to my heart. When I was there one year Gina took me to a near by lake, were her Aunt and Uncle had a cabin so I could take some pics.
I am very thankful to have known and loved her my neice, I pray her graduation from this life to heaven She will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to the rest of the family and all of her friends and coworkers…will be with everyone in spirit as unfortunantly cannot make the trip at this time. Huge hugs, may All Angels wrap there wings around us all at this time. Love you all, Aunt Pam and Jose
I am deeply saddened to hear of your enormous loss. Gina represented everything Good in this world. God gave her a Beautiful Spirit and she shared it with all of us. Please take comfort in knowing she is with the one she served. Where there is no pain or sorrow. May God fill your hearts with Peace and Comfort at this time. Prayerfully, Michelle Sarazin
Gina was a gem – one of a kind. She was part of my wife’s wedding party and our families still talk about how Gina helped make that day special for everyone. She had a God-given gift of connecting with people with wisdom and compassion. Blessings to her family and friends.
I met Gina through my friend Michael Barnes back in 1999. Gina had a free spirit like no other person I have ever met. She was always a pure joy to be around, and always saw the good in someone, though they may not have been all that nice to others. She also possessed an innocence, and sweet nature that was completely unique, and she could really show you how to have a good time too… and still be “innocent.”
Gina didn’t like surprises, or like being startled or scared, so she says. I know many times she would come to over to Mike’s for dinner and drinks, and I would find a way to sneak up her and scare the crap out of her. I know she loved it deep down. :) I will cherish all the good times we had over that past 17 years. You were a great friend to all and you will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family during this difficult time.
“And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.”
When I heard that Gina had gone on to heaven, I immediately heard her voice say “God is good, He is so good.” She had said those words to me last year and every time I was with her I could feel His presence in the room with us. She had received His love and through His love to her, she passed it on to all of us. She was joy and love and touched so many of our lives.
I’ll never forget how amazed I was with her grace on the day we went to celebrate her last treament at Mayo. We were there to celebrate HER, but she turned it all around and I watched her walk and talk with each of us asking how we were, and as if she didn’t even remember that we were there to celebrate her.
Gina is my role model. If we could all be a little more like her, the world would be a better place.
May her example help us all desire to receive more of His love, so we can freely give it away; like she always did.
Blessings and love to all,
Paula Neu