Geisinger, [Martha] Chris (1926-2004)

GEISINGER, RICKETTS, KERR, MOFFATT, HESLEY, EVANS

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/8/2010 at 11:46:04

[Martha]* Chris Geisinger - [Oct. 8, 1926]* - Aug. 14, 2004

Chris Geisinger of Storm Lake, died Saturday, August 14, 2004, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake after a two-year struggle with cancer.

Chris was born in Lexington, Tennessee, to Bryan and Lou Vena (Kerr) Ricketts. Her family lived in Corinth, Mississippi, until she was 11 years old before moving to Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from Messick High School in 1944 and received her degree to teach French and English from Memphis State University. She taught school in Memphis for two years, then moved to Washington, D.C., to work with a ghost writer in General Stone's office in the Pentagon. There, she met her husband, Arch Geisinger, who was teaching Engineering at Ft. Belvoir. They were married on May 24, 1952, and lived in Falls Church, Virginia, until the end of that year before moving back to his home town of Storm Lake, Iowa.

Her marriage to Arch was blessed with three children, Stephen, Beth, and Karen, who became the source of much joy, happiness and fulfillment in her life. She dedicated her life to raising her children, creating a beautiful home for her family and playing an active role in the community.

Her community work included founding the Melody Club with a friend in 1953 and being an original Witter Gallery Board member for fifteen years and a past president. She was a past President of Chapter EP of P.E.O. and celebrated her 50th year of membership this year. She was also a past president of the Historical Society and the Harker House Foundation in which she decorated the house interior with two other women. She served many years on the Boards for Community Concerts and Hospital Auxiliary and was a life member of UMW at the Methodist church where she was a soloist for 20 years and taught Sunday school. She was also a member of Questers, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and was active in the Republican Party and the Republican forum.

Chris especially enjoyed her four bridge clubs, studying art in the Fine Arts Club and traveling. She and Arch traveled to Europe, Mexico, spent their winter months at their condo in Scottsdale, Arizona, for 20 years and loved visiting the San Francisco Bay Area for the past fourteen years.

Chris was so pleased to celebrate her 52nd anniversary of marriage with Arch this year. She will be known for being a talented and energetic true "southern bell" and was blessed with many lifetime friends.

Chris is survived by her husband Arch; son Stephen and wife Donna and grandchildren Laura, John, Ryan, Scott and Thomas of Kansas City; daughter Elizabeth "Beth", her husband Kevin and grandchildren Nicole and Josh of Sac City; and daughter Karen, her husband Eric and grandchildren Andrew and David of Walnut Creek, Ca; her sister Louise Moffatt of Memphis, niece Terry Hasley of Clearwater, Fl, nephew Christopher Moffatt of Charlotte, N.C., and Dr. Lee Moffatt of Memphis and their respective spouses; special first cousin Lee and Fran Evans of Santa Rosa, Ca. and Darla and Richard Bastoni of San Francisco as well as brother-in-law, Harold; nephew Harold Jr. of Storm Lake, nephew Donald of Kansas City and niece Susan of Storm Lake.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 18th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Storm Lake United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Beverlee Bell and Reverend Jamie Cutler officiating. Burial will be in the Storm Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake after 3 p.m. Tuesday where the family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so online.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Chris' memory may be given to the Storm Lake United Methodist Church, 211 East Third Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588, or to the Buena Vista Regional Healthcare Foundation, Department of Oncology, P.O. Box 309, 1525 West Fifth Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588. (Please note in check memo: In memory of Chris Geisinger).

Copyright © 2004, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

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