Cullen K. GEIST

GEIST, BURCHETT, SHOEMAKER, HARRINGTON, RATHBUN, TRAUSCH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/2/2011 at 01:09:02

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, December 2, 2010

OBITUARY - CULLEN K. GEIST
June 1, 1949 ~ November 24, 2010

Cullen K. GEIST, 61, was born June 1, 1949 in Osceola, Iowa, to Carroll and Cleola (BURCHETT) GEIST, and passed away November 24, 2010 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Cullen graduated from Mount Ayr Community high school and Northwest Missouri State University. He played football in high school, college and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

On June 19, 2004, Cullen married Becky SHOEMAKER and enjoyed a marriage filled with joy, laughter, sports, singing and dancing.

He managed several businesses before becoming president of GEIST Distributing in Des Moines.

Cullen never met a stranger who didn't quickly become a friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation was held at Westover Funeral Home, 63337 Hickman Road, on Sunday, November 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. A private family service was conducted by the Greek Orthodox Church on Monday, November 29, at 10 a.m. at the Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life service followed at 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 301 W. Madison, Mount Ayr, Iowa, with interment following at Rosehill (sic) Cemetery in Mount Ayr.

Music was provided by Collus LAWHEAD and Jane THOMAS. Eulogies were given by Wayne WOOLSEY, Phil WAINWRIGHT, Cullen Blaine GEIST and Adriene (GIEST) RATHBUN. Memories of Cullen were read by Randy RATHBUN.

Pallbearers were Mike BEECH, Bob FOSTER, Ron RAINEY, Randy RATHBUN, Richard TATE, Kay THOMAS, Tim TRAUSCH, Phil WAINWRIGHT, Ed WEIDNER, and Wayne WOOSLEY. Honorary pallbearers were Jeffry CHAPMAN, Ben FARHA, Skuyler FARHA, Todd FARHA and Mark FARHA.

Cullen was proceeded in death by his father, Carroll "Lefty" GEIST and his wife, Donna HARRINGTON GEIST.

Survivors are his wife Becky SHOEMAKER-GEIST of West Des Moines, his mother, Cleola GEIST of Mount Ayr, his children Cullen Blaine GEIST of Lost Angeles, Adriene (Randy) RATHBUN of Wichita, his brother Crae (Jodie) GEIST of Mount Ayr, his nieces Sarah and Kelsey GEIST of Mount Ayr, his cousin "little sister" Deanna (Tim) TRAUSCH of Urbandale and many other family and friends.

A memorial has been established in his name for the Mount Ayr Community School weight room (Cullen GEIST Memorial). Contributions may be mailed to: Mount Ayr Community School, c/o Jodie GEIST, 1001 E. Columbus, Mount Ayr, IA 50854.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2011