Beatrice Elenora Geiger

GEIGER, Beatrice Elenora – Age 91 – Passed away Saturday September 6, 2014. She was a resident at French Manor Assisted Living in Traverse City Michigan. A service was held on Monday September 8, 2014 at French Manor with the immediate family, residents and staff. Cremation was done by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Harold Augustus Geiger on September 14, 2009. A service to commemorate both of their lives will be held at the Fort Custer National Cemetery on Friday November 28, 2014 at 1:30pm. The cemetery is located at 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI 49012. Beatrice was born September 20, 1922 to Harrie and Flossie Prestidge in Bronson, Michigan. She grew up on a farm and graduated from high school in Sturgis, Michigan. She married Harold Geiger on July 27, 1947. She lovingly raised three children in Battle Creek, MI: Susan K. DeRyke of Grand Junction MI, Michael J. Geiger of Petoskey MI and Patricia A. Geiger of Traverse City, MI. Bea had three grandchildren: Brandon Geiger of Ft Worth TX, Derek Geiger of Cambridge, MA and Grace Geiger of Traverse City. She was employed as a receptionist and switchboard operator at Fort Custer, at Battle Creek Public Schools, and at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek MI. She retired to Tucson Estates, AZ in 1982 and enjoyed 27 wonderful retirement years there with Harold. Bea is survived by four sisters: Harriet Van Pelt of Colon, MI, Luella Houghtaling of Cedar Creek MI, Shirley Hendricks of Tucson AZ and Grace Kasdorf of Sturgis. Bea was a very endearing, caring and capable person. She served as PTA president at Urbandale Elementary School for several years. She was a marvelous cook for her family, and her dishes were almost always the first ones to disappear at the pot luck dinners in Tucson Estates. Bea could make or repair almost anything with her sewing machine. She loved to play cards and made a great partner for Cribbage, Euchre or Pinochle. GEIGER, Harold Augustus was born March 12, 1921to Jacob and Bertha Geiger in Village of Isle, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm and graduated from high school in Waverly, Iowa. Harold served in the Army during World War II in the South Pacific. He worked at Kellogg’s in Battle Creek Michigan for 40 years and was a boiler operator in the powerhouse of many years. Harold was a skilled and industrious man. He built the family home on Barney Boulevard in Battle Creek, and he built a summer cottage for his family on Mill Lake in Barry County MI. He loved to fish and boat there. He was an avid golfer at Tucson Estates and made his first hole in one there when he was 70 years old. Dad also loved to play cards and he got a big thrill out of winning. Harold is survived by a sister Marion Nelson of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his sister Ruth Sale of Tucson AZ, and his brother Roger Geiger of Rockford IL. Harold and Bea Geiger were quintessential members of “America’s Greatest Generation”. They grew up during the Great Depression. They courageously faced the challenges of World War II. They were happily married and raised three children and sent them all to college to become a teacher, an engineer and a nurse. Bea and Harold were very proud and of their three grandchildren and they experienced so much joy with them. They worked hard for many years and then enjoyed a wonderful retirement in Tucson. They will be missed very much and the memories of their lives will last forever.

Beatrice Elenora Geiger

September 20, 1922 - September 6, 2014