Geraldine Mary Wilson's Obituary
Geraldine Mary Wilson, age 87 of Centerville, Iowa passed away Sunday, February 08, 2015 at the Centerville Nursing and Rehab Center in Centerville.
Gerry was born March 9, 1927 at Unionville, Iowa, the daughter of Paul Sullivan Harrington and Myrtle Ivy (Locker) Harrington. She lived in Unionville until marrying Joe N. Wilson July 31, 1945 at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. after several military moves. Gerry lived in rural Unionville until 1968 when she and Joe moved to Centerville. They owned and operated Wilson Realty.
Gerry was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Centerville and Unionville Methodist Church where she held many positions over the years. She was in the choir, played the organ and taught Sunday school. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Women. Gerry was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a past Iowa State Mother of the Year candidate. She also was a member of the Farm Bureau Women, the Gideons Auxiliary, was on the Foster Care Board and helped with the Spiritual Program at Golden Age Care Center. She was also a leader in MYF, PTA, 4H and Centerville High School Band Parents.
Gerry is survived by her husband, Joe of Centerville, children Rebecca (Charles) VanZante of Lenexa, KS, Mary Jo Helgerson of Ottumwa, Iowa, Judge Dan P. (Lottie) Wilson of Centerville, Nancy ""Beth"" (Greg) Hawk of Albany, Oregon; 14 grandchildren, Tom VanZante of Lenexa, KS, Ted (Laura) VanZante of Lenexa, KS, Andrew (Amy) VanZante of Lenexa, KS, Jesse Helgerson of Iowa City, Iowa, Nathan (Alba) Helgerson of Hampstead, North Carolina, Jill (Mick) Grove of Edmonds, WA, Susan (Ryan) Nenninger of Iowa City, Iowa, Melissa Shriver of Iowa City, Iowa, Becky (Jose) Vargas of West Liberty, Iowa, Amanda (Cliff) Williams, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Rachael Wilson of Monrovia, Liberia, Africa, Patrick (Lauren) Wilson of Norfolk, Virginia, April (Oscar) Vera of Salem, Oregon, Whitney Hawk of Portland, Oregon; 13 Great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and 3 brothers, John, Forest and Richard.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Centerville with Reverend Dennis Gilbert officiating. Interment will follow in the Unionville, Cemetery, Unionville, Iowa. A visitation will be held on Wednesday at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville from 10 AM-7 PM, with the family present from 5-7 PM. Memorials have been established to either the First United Methodist Church or to the Gideons International and may be given to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Visitation
February 11, 2015 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St. Centerville, IA (641) 856-2000
Funeral Service
February 12, 2015 11:00 AM
First United Methodist Church North Main Street Centerville, IA
What’s your fondest memory of Geraldine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Geraldine?
Share a story where Geraldine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Geraldine you’ll never forget.
How did Geraldine make you smile?