Geneva Marie Kaven
October 24, 1917 — February 28, 2015
Geneva was born October 24, 1917, to Henry and Clara (Fahrenkrog) Foje on a farm north of Minden, Iowa. She was baptized at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Persia, Iowa on December 16, 1917 and later confirmed at the Congregational Church in Minden, Iowa. In 1937 she became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa.
She attended York Township Country School, and graduated in 1934 as Valedictorian of her class from Minden High School. She graduated from Boyle’s Business College in 1936, and began working for Standard Mutual Insurance. In 1937 she relocated to Avoca Iowa, and began her banking career at the Avoca State Bank.
On June 19, 1940, Geneva married her high school sweetheart Creighton D. Kaven at the Congregational Church in Minden, Iowa. The union was blessed with three children: Dale, Jane and Mary Leigh. Geneva enjoyed her years as a homemaker, but soon became involved in activities in the community. She became the organist of the Trinity Lutheran Church, which continued for 57 years. She also played the organ at many surrounding churches, including the Presbyterian Church in Shelby. She provided music for many weddings and funerals in the area. For 12 years, she taught many eager piano students in her home.
In 1964 she resumed her banking career at the Citizens Savings Bank, which has since become Midstates Bank. She loved her job as Assistant Cashier in the early years, and later became Director of the Midstates Senior Premier Club, entertaining at many social occasions and traveling with the group all over the United States, and abroad.
Geneva’s busy life included years of service to the East Pottawattamie 4-H program and she was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
Geneva was active in many church, and civic organizations throughout the years. During the time that Creighton had his own construction business, Geneva assisted and supported him in his business and many community activities. Geneva worked until she was eighty five, retiring from banking in 2002, Geneva moved in 2005 to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut, Iowa and then to Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa in 2012.
It was her joy to do for her family and their activities. She especially enjoyed baking, canning and gained many “pickle friends” with her sweet “society pickles”.
Geneva died on February 28, 2015 having attained the age of ninety seven years, four months and four days. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Creighton Kaven and her brother Elmer.
Geneva is survived by her children Dale Kaven and his wife Mary Ann of Schuyler, Nebraska; Jane and her husband Dennis Turner of Atlantic, Iowa; Mary Leigh and her husband Chuck Morris of Ames, Iowa; her grandchildren Kimberly Kaven and her husband Randy Ptacek of Ashland, Nebraska; Jennene Kaven of Lincoln, Nebraska; William Kaven of Omaha, Nebraska; Carin Ann Kaven of Golden, Colorado; Beth and her husband Steve Cox of Chillicothe, Missouri; Andrea and her husband Chuck Kinzie of Anita, Iowa; Darrick Turner and his wife Laura of Loveland, Colorado; John Creighton Morris of Ames, Iowa; Emily Morris and her fiancé Jeremy Benda of Chaska, Minnesota;19 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
She attended York Township Country School, and graduated in 1934 as Valedictorian of her class from Minden High School. She graduated from Boyle’s Business College in 1936, and began working for Standard Mutual Insurance. In 1937 she relocated to Avoca Iowa, and began her banking career at the Avoca State Bank.
On June 19, 1940, Geneva married her high school sweetheart Creighton D. Kaven at the Congregational Church in Minden, Iowa. The union was blessed with three children: Dale, Jane and Mary Leigh. Geneva enjoyed her years as a homemaker, but soon became involved in activities in the community. She became the organist of the Trinity Lutheran Church, which continued for 57 years. She also played the organ at many surrounding churches, including the Presbyterian Church in Shelby. She provided music for many weddings and funerals in the area. For 12 years, she taught many eager piano students in her home.
In 1964 she resumed her banking career at the Citizens Savings Bank, which has since become Midstates Bank. She loved her job as Assistant Cashier in the early years, and later became Director of the Midstates Senior Premier Club, entertaining at many social occasions and traveling with the group all over the United States, and abroad.
Geneva’s busy life included years of service to the East Pottawattamie 4-H program and she was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
Geneva was active in many church, and civic organizations throughout the years. During the time that Creighton had his own construction business, Geneva assisted and supported him in his business and many community activities. Geneva worked until she was eighty five, retiring from banking in 2002, Geneva moved in 2005 to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut, Iowa and then to Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa in 2012.
It was her joy to do for her family and their activities. She especially enjoyed baking, canning and gained many “pickle friends” with her sweet “society pickles”.
Geneva died on February 28, 2015 having attained the age of ninety seven years, four months and four days. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Creighton Kaven and her brother Elmer.
Geneva is survived by her children Dale Kaven and his wife Mary Ann of Schuyler, Nebraska; Jane and her husband Dennis Turner of Atlantic, Iowa; Mary Leigh and her husband Chuck Morris of Ames, Iowa; her grandchildren Kimberly Kaven and her husband Randy Ptacek of Ashland, Nebraska; Jennene Kaven of Lincoln, Nebraska; William Kaven of Omaha, Nebraska; Carin Ann Kaven of Golden, Colorado; Beth and her husband Steve Cox of Chillicothe, Missouri; Andrea and her husband Chuck Kinzie of Anita, Iowa; Darrick Turner and his wife Laura of Loveland, Colorado; John Creighton Morris of Ames, Iowa; Emily Morris and her fiancé Jeremy Benda of Chaska, Minnesota;19 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
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