Virginia "Ginny" Rose Vanden Branden of Green Bay passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025. She was the daughter of Arnie and Irene Moder. Ginny grew up in Green Bay with her five brothers. She attended Annunciation Elementary School and was a proud graduate of Green Bay West High School. She attended the Outagamie County Teachers College. She married the love of her life, Richard Vanden Branden on September 22, 1955. Ginny worked at the telephone company and as a bridal consultant at the HC Prange store in Green Bay. Ginny fulfilled a long-held desire to become a teacher when she began her education at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay in 1972. She graduated from UWGB with high honors in 1976. She began her career as an educator at St. Louis School in Dyckesville where she enjoyed the challenge of teaching combined grades in one classroom. She then taught for many years at Notre Dame of De Pere Middle School. She loved her many years with the middle schoolers and found it a joy for decades after, when students would approach and say "Hi, Mrs. Vanden Branden!" and fill her in on their lives. Ginny was especially grateful for the support of the Notre Dame School family when her beloved husband, Richard, died in 1979.

In 1986 Ginny continued on her path as an educator in the Wisconsin Prison system where she worked for nearly 3 decades. She touched many lives and looked for the best in everyone. She began teaching at Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution and later at the Green Bay Correctional Institution. She attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh while working at GBCI. Ginny was involved in creating nationally recognized programs to help reduce recidivism. She received state and national awards recognizing her contributions. Her program was studied and integrated into corrections programs internationally after visits from foreign prison officials. When the state cut the budget for her program, Ginny privately fundraised to continue to provide the educational services that changed lives. She was known for her powers of persuasion. Many people who found themselves surprised to be speaking in a maximum-security institution became lifelong friends and supporters. Ginny found great satisfaction in her career in corrections and continued working into her 80's.

Ginny's favorite place was Rock Island State Park where she camped every year with family members for nearly 50 years. She loved fishing and camping whenever she could. She enjoyed reading and was always looking for a good book. "Grandma Ginny" was a superfan of all her grandchildren and attended every sporting event she could. Ginny loved to travel and enjoyed many trips with her children, grandchildren and friends. In her later years, she enjoyed numerous train trips to camp in California with her son, John.

Ginny was an amazing mother and grandmother with a lovely, warm smile that put people at ease. She worked hard all of her life and had tremendous energy. She was genuinely interested in people and always fought for the underdog. She set a wonderful example of the importance of love, loyalty, education and service.

Ginny is survived by her children, John Vanden Branden, Jim (Kelly) Vanden Branden and Lisa (Kurt) Vanden Branden Koehler; grandchildren, Brooke Lepper (Adam), Richard Vanden Branden, Alexander Koehler, Nicholas Koehler and Graham Koehler: great-grandson, Colton Lepper; siblings, Arnie Moder, Gary Moder and Steve Moder; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Ginny was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents, Arnie and Irene; mother and father-in-law, Stella and August Vanden Branden; brothers, Bruce Moder, Richard Moder; sisters-in-law; Joan Moder, Mardell Moder, Jean Moder, Dolores Moder, Joanne Moder, Betty Walraven, Rosemary Vanden Branden and Jean Vanden Branden; brothers-in-law, Don Vanden Branden, Robert Vanden Branden and Jerry Walraven.

Friends and family will gather from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, October 17 at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave. Visitation will continue at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 427 St John St. from 9:30am to 10:30am on Saturday, October 18; Mass to follow at 10:30am. Burial will be at Fort Howard Memorial Park. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

Memorial funds for Ginny will be directed to the Friends of Rock Island State Park to help maintain her favorite place.

The family would like to thank the wonderful, compassionate people who helped take care of Ginny in her final year at McCormick Assisted Living Facility and Memory Care unit. We would also like to thank her dear friend, Michelle Brady, who helped Ginny and kept her company for many years.