Georginea H. Vash, age 91, of Stone Lake, died September 27, 2011, in Brookline, MO.

Georginea "Gina" Hazel was born May 15, 1920 in Whitefish, the daughter of George and Hazel (Camp) Ford. She was the oldest of five children; Florence, Charles, George and Dorothy Alice. Gina attended Whitefish Elementary, Hayward Indian School, and Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, KS. As a teenager growing up on the reservation, she had summer employment in several of the resorts. She also worked for the owners of Larson's Lumber Company in Couderay. One of the resorts where she was working was located on the lake with a long pier extending out onto the lake. One day while working she happened to look out the window just as one of the small children fell into the water. Being a good swimmer, she ran out, dove into the water and saved the little girl from drowning.

Growing up in Whitefish, she attended the Whitefish Presbyterian Church. After moving back in 1992, she and her husband were faithful in attending the LCO Assembly of God Church. Many times she helped with the various dinners that were held on the reservation. She was also a poll watcher for several elections.

Later in life, she moved to Chicago where she worked in several plastic factories as a supervisor. It was at Midstates Plastics where she met her husband, Joe Vash, and married him three years later. She also worked for several years at Bell and Howell Camera Factory in Chicago from which she retired.

In 1980 Gina and Joe moved to Arizona. While living there she was employed as a home health aide to an elderly lady. In 1992 they retired and moved back to the family home near Stone Lake.

After her husband died, her sister, Dorothy and brother-in-law, Duane, invited her to come to Missouri to live with them. Later on because of illness, her doctor recommended that she be moved to a local care home where she would get the proper care she needed.

Gina is survived by her brother Dr. Charles Ford; sister Dorothy (Duane) Sorenson both of Springfield, MO; aunt Mabel Arnold of Suffolk, VA; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joe; sister Florence; brother George; sister-in-law Rosemary Ford; nephews Darren Andrew and David Sorenson.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, , 2011 at Pineview Funeral Service in Hayward. Rev. Marvin Wilber will officiate with music provided by Dorothy Sorenson, Duane Sorenson, Donny Sorenson, Pamela Finkel and Marvin and Deborah Wilber. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Sand Lake Township. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service on Saturday, 2011 at the funeral home.

Honorary casket bearers will be Billy Ford, Daniel Ford, Kevin Ford, Gaiashkibos and Steve Quaderer,

Casket Bearers will be Bryan Hutchings, Joseph Morey, Shane Obert, Dale Sorenson, Darren Sorenson and Donny Sorenson

Pineveiw Funeral Service in assisting Gina's family with the arrangements.