Ginger Caroline Barclay

Ginger Caroline Barclay, age 48, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Monday, January 19, 2026, at her parents’ home. Ginger was born on February 12, 1977, in Chisago, Minnesota, to Matthew “Charley” Bina and Ellen Caroline. Charley later married Kimberly Jeane Synoground, and the couple raised Ginger together. She graduated from Austin High School in 1995. In 1996, Ginger married Jeremy Barclay, and together they had two sons and later divorced. Ginger devoted herself fully to raising her boys, loving them unconditionally and standing by them through every stage of life. She spoke of how proud they made her and how she couldn’t have asked for better men to call her sons. She used every opportunity to share stories of how much joy it brought her to watch her grandkids grow and learn. Earlier in her life, Ginger could be found serving her community with a smile on her face at different eateries in Austin, she later worked for various businesses as a caretaker, a role that reflected her compassionate nature. She was known for her childish sense of humor and incredibly stubborn spirit and sass, these traits that her loved ones cherished. In Ginger’s spare time, you could find her sharing her love through home-cooked meals and her special Sunday dinners with her family and friends. She often filled the house with country music or classic R&B as she cooked and sang in the kitchen. It wasn’t often that you didn’t find her watching the food network or hollering through the tv at her favorite football teams, usually with her dog curled up beside her or a grandkid on her knee. Some of Gingers fondest memories came from her adventures she shared with her siblings and best friends. Ginger had a deep and trusting faith in God, leaning on Him during her hardest times. She was known for her warmth, her love of life, and her ability to bring people together through food, laughter, and music.

Ginger is survived by her parents, Charley and Kim Bina of Austin; her sons, Jordan (Hannah) Barclay and Riley Barclay, both of Austin; her grandchildren, Janessa Pitchford, Jayce Barclay, Everly Barclay, Baylee Barclay, Miracle Strolie, and Kaison Barclay; her siblings, Todd (Judy) Bina of West Virginia, Carrie Bina of Zimmerman, Minnesota, Tessa (Josh) Davis of Oakland, Minnesota, Kristina (Charles) Durham of Austin, Joshua Swancutt of Wisconsin, and Rebekah Swancutt of Austin; the father of her sons, Jeremy Barclay; and her grandfather, Rolf Synoground. She is also survived by her sons’ siblings, Nathaniel Barclay, Xavier Barclay, and Anikah Barclay, of which she loved as her own. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Al Bina, Helen Bina, and Jackie Synoground.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Freedom Christian Fellowship in Austin, Minnesota. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.