Obituary of Mildred Elizabeth Geistkemper

Mildred E. Geistkemper, 84, of Dyersville, Iowa died Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, Iowa after a brief illness. Mildred was born November 26, 1927, in Earlville, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew and Dorothy (Kelchen) Sellner. Millie was a hard worker who would often offer her services to many as a hired girl. She married Raymond Geistkemper on June 4, 1946, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville, Iowa. Together they farmed near Petersburg. She was a wonderful wife and a loving and caring mother of 6 children. Millie enjoyed quilting and embroidery, gardening, traveling and birdwatching. She was an accomplished cook and baker. Survivors include her husband, Raymond, 5 children: Patricia (Jim) Bonert, Lois (Steve) Mescher, both of Dyersville, Mary Lou (Harry) White of Worthington, Randy (Meg) Geistkemper of Petersburg and Mark (Lori) Geistkemper of Dyersville; 19 grandchildren, Shellie Olberding, Brian, Dan and Tim Bonert, Rhonda, Scot and Jayme Mescher, Renee Heery, Jason, Wendy and Matt White, Jenny Winsand, Laura Herbers, Jeff and Greg Geistkemper, Jill Grawe, Liz Benyo, Tony and Tricia Geistkemper; 15 great-grandchildren; her step-mother-in-law, Delores Deutmeyer of Dyersville; 8 siblings: Germaine (Gib) Goedken, Delores (Jim) Burkle, Irvin (Donna) Sellner, Don (Bonnie) Sellner, John (Ann) Sellner, Jim (Carlyn) Sellner, Carol (Merlin) Krapfl, and David (Carol) Sellner; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Ethel Pins, Dorothy (Harold) Lake, Alfred (Verna) Geistkemper, Joan Ament and Dan (Sandy) Geistkemper. She was preceded in death by a son, Duane in 1969, her parents, her parents-in-law, Hubert and Rose Geistkemper; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Elmer (Evelyn) Geistkemper, Herman (Annetta) Geistkemper, Jerry Pins, John (Eleanor) Hoeger, Tom Ament and Margie Geistkemper. A memorial fund has been established and memorials are preferred. Friends may call from 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2012, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a Rosary will be recited at 8:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2012, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Petersburg, Iowa. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate.