Bosanko, Geraldine Gladys (Peterson) 1930 - 2021

BOSANKO, PETERSON, SAILOR-DALTON, MOHR, LANGE, BOE, BATTEEN, GAUB

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/29/2021 at 11:57:15

Geraldine Gladys Bosanko, age 91 passed away Oct. 23, 2021 at Wellington Place, Decorah.

Geraldine Peterson Bosanko was born Jan. 24, 1930 on a farm in North Dakota during a severe snow storm with a temperature of 36 degrees below zero. She was raised on her family’s farms and attended 8 years of school in a one room schoolhouse. She completed high school at Ipswich, South Dakota, by working for her room and board. She was the 1946 Homecoming Queen. After graduation she was united in marriage to W. Richard (Dick) Bosanko on Sept. 21, 1948 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota. To this union, two daughters were born, Donna Lea and Julie Ka. Gerry and Dick moved from South Dakota to Iowa on March 3, 1956 when Dick became an electrical lineman and joined the Interstate Power Company family.

Along with raising her two daughters she worked for Winneshiek County and finally for Luther College Health Service prior to her retirement in 1990. She was a very active member of the Congregational Church of Christ, the Decorah Jaycees and worked with Dick in the VFW and American Legion. She enjoyed playing cards and years of dancing.

Survivors include her daughters, Donna (Jim) Sailor-Dalton, Cedar Rapids, and Julie (Gary) Mohr of Coralville; four grandchildren: Peter (MaryLyn) Sailor of Ames. Matthew (Robin) Sailor of Decorah, Stephanie (Brandon) Lange of Mt. Vernon, and Dr. Whitney Mohr of Tucson, Ariz.; five great grandchildren; Alyssa (Evyn) Sailor,Lancaster California, Brennan and Corinne Sailor, Ames, Isabella and Lilly Sailor, Decorah.

Surviving sisters and brothers: Vonnie (Jack) Boe, Fargo N.D., Gilbert (Marion)Peterson, Longmont, Co., Linda (Dennis) Batteen, Aberdeen S.D. , Richard (Judy) Peterson, Elk Horn, Neb., Sheila (LeRoy) Gaub, Billings Mt. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Her husband Dick preceded Gerry in death in 2004. She also was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Harold, Dean, Arlene, Bernandine and son-in-law Craig W. Sailor in 1994.

A Celebration of Life will be at the Decorah Congregation United Church of Christ, Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. Family requests Mask Mandate. Family suggests any memorials be directed to the Congregational UCC Church, Decorah. Burial will be, at a later date, in the family plot in Ipswich, South Dakota.

Source: Decorah Newspapers Oct. 27, 2021