Geraldine "Geri" Marie Swisher
September 29, 1927 — November 8, 2024
Geraldine “Geri” Swisher was born to Marion and Irene (Harding) Morehead on September 29, 1927 in Akron, Iowa. She was baptized at the First Covenant Church on April 9, 1944. She attended school until the ninth grade. After her schooling, she worked by taking babysitting jobs and cleaning houses for extended family and neighbors. In later years, she worked at Blue Bunny for a short time.
Geri found the love of her life when she met John Henry Swisher at a dance at the Riversioux Pavillion in Union County, South Dakota. He was on leave from the Navy. They were united in marriage on December 5, 1947 in Merrill, Iowa. To this union, two children were born: Judy Irene and Pamela Jean. They were married for 67 years.
Geri had many hobbies including stitching hand towels, playing cards with friends, fishing and boating on East Lake in Okoboji and Spirit Lake. She couldn’t wait until ads came out for garage sales. She enjoyed going to dances over the years with John. When they started to get too old to attend dances, she and John would dance in their living room to music on the TV. One of their favorite stations to listen was the Molly B Polka show. Geri enjoyed bingo, watching Wheel of Fortune and soap operas. She was also known for the meals she would cook and the goodies she made at Christmastime. She had very fond memories of the trips she and John took to California, Tennessee, Florida and Louisiana.
Geri passed away peacefully on November 8, 2024, with her daughter Judy by her side; attaining the age of 97 years, 1 month and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Irene; husband, John; siblings, Marvin and Wilma; sisters and brother-in-law, Evelyn Andersen, Elverna Marienau, Opal Singer Hanke, Bill Swisher and Versella Grasz.
She is survived by her children, Judy (Robert) Hoogensen of Harlan, IA; Pam Gallagher of Manning, IA;4 grandchildren: Jennifer (Gregg) Tiehen of Hartford, SD, Stephen (Kara) Hoogensen of Ankeny, IA, Renee (Scott) Hansen of Manning, IA, Shawn Stanley of Des Moines, IA; 6 great-grandchildren: Emily (Justin) Reiser of Deloit, IA, Garrett Tiehen of Sioux Falls, SD, Dillon Hansen of Ames, IA, Kate Hoogensen of Burnsville, MN, Mallory Hoogensen of Minot, ND, Sophia Hansen of Manning, IA; 2 great-great-grandchildren: Paisley Reiser of Deloit, IA, Lane Reiser of Deloit, IA; sister: Juanita (LeRoy) Sands of Sioux City, IA; sister-in-Law: Lucille Carlson of Beresford, SD; many nephews, nieces, and extended family members and friends.
Geri found the love of her life when she met John Henry Swisher at a dance at the Riversioux Pavillion in Union County, South Dakota. He was on leave from the Navy. They were united in marriage on December 5, 1947 in Merrill, Iowa. To this union, two children were born: Judy Irene and Pamela Jean. They were married for 67 years.
Geri had many hobbies including stitching hand towels, playing cards with friends, fishing and boating on East Lake in Okoboji and Spirit Lake. She couldn’t wait until ads came out for garage sales. She enjoyed going to dances over the years with John. When they started to get too old to attend dances, she and John would dance in their living room to music on the TV. One of their favorite stations to listen was the Molly B Polka show. Geri enjoyed bingo, watching Wheel of Fortune and soap operas. She was also known for the meals she would cook and the goodies she made at Christmastime. She had very fond memories of the trips she and John took to California, Tennessee, Florida and Louisiana.
Geri passed away peacefully on November 8, 2024, with her daughter Judy by her side; attaining the age of 97 years, 1 month and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Irene; husband, John; siblings, Marvin and Wilma; sisters and brother-in-law, Evelyn Andersen, Elverna Marienau, Opal Singer Hanke, Bill Swisher and Versella Grasz.
She is survived by her children, Judy (Robert) Hoogensen of Harlan, IA; Pam Gallagher of Manning, IA;4 grandchildren: Jennifer (Gregg) Tiehen of Hartford, SD, Stephen (Kara) Hoogensen of Ankeny, IA, Renee (Scott) Hansen of Manning, IA, Shawn Stanley of Des Moines, IA; 6 great-grandchildren: Emily (Justin) Reiser of Deloit, IA, Garrett Tiehen of Sioux Falls, SD, Dillon Hansen of Ames, IA, Kate Hoogensen of Burnsville, MN, Mallory Hoogensen of Minot, ND, Sophia Hansen of Manning, IA; 2 great-great-grandchildren: Paisley Reiser of Deloit, IA, Lane Reiser of Deloit, IA; sister: Juanita (LeRoy) Sands of Sioux City, IA; sister-in-Law: Lucille Carlson of Beresford, SD; many nephews, nieces, and extended family members and friends.
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