Gina Zurbey

It is with great sadness to announce that Gina Maahs Zurbey, age 40, passed away at home on September 3rd, 2025, surrounded by family after a 3.5 year battle with cancer.

Gina was born October 22, 1984 in Merrill, WI to Christine (Schmidt) and Keith Maahs. She grew up in central Wisconsin in the country as the only girl with 3 brothers. Her childhood being spent outdoors, including deer hunting, and riding ATVs with her brothers.

Those that crossed paths with Gina will remember her welcoming spirit, joyful enthusiasm and big bright smile. Even though she faced adversity and challenges being born with a disability, she approached life with a great sense of humor and determination.

Gina graduated from Wausau West High School in 2003. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire earning a Bachelors of Science in Organizational Communications in 2008. Soon after, Gina began her professional career in higher education, first as an Admissions Officer at Minnesota State University, Mankato. While working full time, she completed her Masters of Science in Educational Leadership and transitioned into academic advising, becoming the Student Relations Coordinator for the College of Arts and Humanities in 2011. In 2020, Gina began what would be her final position at MSU, Associate Director for Registration and Academic Records.

She met her husband Nick at Adam and Lisa Mertz’s wedding in October 2010. Nick was a groomsman and Gina was a friend of the bride. While Gina was helping organize a game of tippy cup, one more guy was required to even out the teams. As Gina liked to tell it, she thought the guy in the glasses was cute and quickly grabbed Nick to join. Soon after, they started long distance dating with her in Mankato and him in St. Cloud. In 2013, they moved to St. Peter, MN and married on September 26, 2014.

Together with Nick, they enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, traveling, being up north at Nick’s parent’s cabin, laying in the hammock and spending time with family, friends and their dogs, Willow and Wally.

It was in March 2022, after finding a suspicious bump on her scalp, when Gina was diagnosed with melanoma. After 3.5 years of tests, scans, surgeries, immunotherapy, chemo, radiation and countless hours driving back and forth to Rochester, that all treatment options had unfortunately been exhausted.

Gina loved to travel. After her diagnosis, she was determined to still explore and have new adventures. These trips included traveling to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, Asheville North Carolina, and her dream vacation to the Canadian Rockies that included Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Parks in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada to celebrate her and Nick’s 10th wedding anniversary. Together they spent days in the mountains, walked on a glacier, saw beautiful waterfalls and ate amazing food. With the help of her sister-in-laws, and other generous people, Gina was able to travel to Toronto in November 2024 to see Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour with her friend Kasi. It was a trip of a lifetime for the Swiftie, and we will always be grateful to those who helped make it happen.

We owe special gratitude to the medical staff at the Mayo Clinic, Mankato Clinic and Allina Home Hospice Care. The care Gina received and efforts made were extraordinary. We will forever be thankful.

Gina was loved by many and will be missed by many. She is survived by her husband, Nick and two beloved dogs, Willow and Wally. Parents Chris and Keith. Brothers Ryan (Emily), Tyler (Kristin), and Jake (Amber). Loving in laws Mike and Teri, Nick's brothers Jon (Mary Jo), Matt(Shannon). Cherished Nieces and Nephews Cale, Kaeden, Kinley, Hudson, Hayden, Bentley, Owen, Hollis, Alec, Nolan, Adelyn, Beckett, and Lydia.

In leu of flowers, please consider donating to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Gina will be honored with a celebration of life held at The Venue in Mankato on Friday, October 3rd, 4pm-8pm, located at 1850 Madison Ave, Mankato, MN 56001.

“It is not where you go, it’s who you travel with”