Adeline “Addie” Geiger
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Adeline “Addie” Geiger, 90, Lawrence, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at Presbyterian Manor. She was born on 29 October 1923 in Saunders County, Nebraska. The first of four children born to Joseph and Mary (Houdek) Petrzilka, she spent much of her youth on the family farm near Loma, Nebraska, and graduated from Brainard High School in 1943.
Adeline attended business school and was hired as a telegraph operator and relief depot agent for Union Pacific Railroad in 1944. Over an eighteen month period she worked out of various depots in Nebraska and Kansas, and met her future husband, Walter Eugene Geiger, a brakeman for UP, while working in Kansas City. The couple had a short courtship, during which time she was transferred to Frankfort. It is here where Walt proposed to her on 2 September 1945, and they were married 17 November 1945 in Marysville, Kansas at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. They shared 52 years of marriage and raised four children. The family spent many years in Marysville, and eventually moved to Lawrence in 1964. Adeline was a homemaker and Walt continued to work for Union Pacific until he retired in 1986.
Adeline was preceded in death by her husband Walt in 1998, and her sister-in-law Leona (Bartek) Petrzilka of Lincoln, Nebraska. Adeline is survived by her four children, Sharon Katherine Walburn and husband John of Lawrence, Walter Eugene Jr. and wife Sheila of Salina, Kansas, Mary Lou Barlow and husband Jerry of Cherokee, Iowa, and Fredrick Joseph and wife Kerstin of Belleville, Illinois. Her surviving siblings are Marcy Svoboda and husband Rudy of David City, Nebraska, Dolores Navratil and husband Milo of Bee, Nebraska, and Joseph Jr. Petrzilka of Lincoln, Nebraska, and numerous nieces and nephews. She had eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Her life revolved around her family, and she will be lovingly remembered for her love of chocolate, the color green, and her collection of ceramic dogs.
Parish Wake and Vigil Service will be held 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 24, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence with visitation following until 7:30 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 25, 2013 at St. John the Evangelist in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials in her name to the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or Douglas County Visiting Nurses Visitation Rehabilitation and Hospice Care and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Brenda & I are deeply saddened with the loss of Adeline, our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
Wayne & Brenda Petrzilka
We were all saddened to hear the news of Adeline’s passing. I bet Walt is waiting for her with his arms wide open! We have many wonderful memories of Adeline coming to Nebraska. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
My dear Aunt Adeline will be sorely missed……her memory burns deep in our hearts. She’ll never be forgotten.
May God walk closely with the family as you journey through this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and many prayers.
We love and will miss her very much.
Cindy & Kim Van Groningen
Lincoln Ne
Sharon, I am so sorry to see the loss of your Mother, she was always pleasant, a smile and a joy to be around. Thank you for letting me care for her. She was so very lucky to you.
Sincerely, Linda Motter
I am privileged to have known Grandma Geiger for these past 15 years. I’m so happy Jahna was able to know her only surviving great-grandparent. Jahna will miss her very much. My sincerest condolences go out to her family, especially Sharon, who always took such great care of her mother. God bless!
Dear Geiger family: My brother, Jim, and I, Joy Pollman lived up the street from you when you lived in Marysville Kansas. I am so sorry to read in the Advocate about your mom’s passing. I have always wonder what happened to you guys when you moved as you were fun neighbors. Take care and be comforted that your Mom is with God.
Joy