Geraldine Kirkeby 1922-2003

KIRKEBY, KELLY, GJEFLE, HANSMEIER

Posted By: SGF (email)
Date: 4/5/2003 at 23:48:45

Geraldine Kirkeby, age 80, of Winona died Monday, January 20, 2003, at Community Memorial Hospital in Winona, Minn. Geraldine Frances Kelly was born March 10, 1922, in Waukon, to Clinton Lionel and Gusta Helen (Gjefle) Kelly. Geraldine graduated from Waukon High School in 1939. In 1940, she obtained a teaching certificate and taught for seven-and-a-half years in Allamakee County. On April 24, 1942, she married Orval Harlan Kirkeby in Waukon and he preceded her in death on March 17, 2001. In 1949, they moved to Lewiston, Minn. She graduated from Winona State University in 1954, where she also received the Purple Key Award and then obtained her Master's Degree in 1968. She taught in Wyattville, Dover, and Eyota and finally moved to Winona, retiring after 18 years with Winona Schools. She was a member of First Congregational Church, Winona, where she was a Trustee. She was a Past President of Delta Kappa Gamma and Winona Area Retired Educators Association. She was a member of the Retired Educators Association of Minnesota, Minnesota Educators Association, the National Educators Association, AARP, Southeastern Retired Educators Association of Minnesota, American Red Cross, and the Historical Society. She was a past member of the Order of Eastern Star, various PTAs, and Board Member of ORC and ARC. She was a volunteer chair at Community Memorial Hospital Escort and helped at Women's Resource and Church Mission Board. Geraldine enjoyed quilting, sewing, knitting, bowling, volunteering, church work, helping her grandsons, traveling, reading, and learning. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Kirkeby of Winona; two sons, Ronald (Catherine) Kirkeby of Winona and Kenneth Kirkeby of Chino Hills, Calif.; two grandsons, Cory and Kyle; a sister, Nona Hansmeier of Waukon; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Orval Harlan, and a brother Vernon. Memorial services were held Friday, January 24, 2003, at First Congregational Church, Winona, with Rev. Rick King and Rev. Corey Larson officiating. Interment will take place later at Waukon Cemetery. Funeral arrangements completed by the Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Winona.

©Waukon Standard 2003
-source Waukon Standard, January 29, 2003