Obituary of Virginia Ettlemyer

Virginia (Nelsen) Ettlemyer died September 29, 2025, in Holmdel, NJ after a long illness. She was born December 30, 1947, in Bayshore, Long Island, NY and grew up in Selden, Stony Brook and Smithtown, NY.

Ginny graduated from Smithtown High School in 1966 and attended Wagner College, Staten Island, NY, receiving her B.S. in Nursing degree in 1970. It was at Wagner that Ginny met her future husband, the Rev. Gary V. Ettlemyer. They were married for 55 years, building a life together on the East End of Long Island; Yonkers and Lynbrook, NY; and Glen Gardner and Belvidere, NJ.

Ginny retired after a fruitful career in ICU/CCU nursing, providing private critical care nursing, and working in Post-partum Maternity Care. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She liked nothing more than to be with family for special occasions or just "being together" as often as possible. Ginny was also a devoted "Reverend Mother" to the parishes she and Gary served during 41 years of Lutheran pastoral ministry.

Ginny loved bird watching, sewing, embroidery and quilting, having served on the quilting guild at Spruce Run Evangelical Lutheran Church, Glen Gardner, NJ, for many years, where Gary served as pastor for 21 years until his retirement in 2019.

Ginny and Gary had two sons and three grandchildren: Michael (married to Annelies van der Wateren – son, Andrew Robert) and Martin (married to Frances X. Carias – children, Gary Thomas and Sophia Grace). She is also survived by her brother, Chris Nelsen of Fulton, NY, and sister, Nancy (Nelsen) Caravan of Phoenix, NY. She was predeceased by her husband, Gary, and parents, Martin and Millie (Tanck) Nelsen.

Visitation will be at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 168 NJ-94, Blairstown, NJ from 12-1 p.m. on Saturday, October 4. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. immediately following visitation at the church. A private graveside service will be held at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, NY at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 6.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Lutheran Church International: https://lutheranchurchinternational.org.