Joseph H Geraets
Dateline: Elmwood
Joseph H. Geraets, age 92 of Elmwood, died Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at the Heritage of Elmwood Nursing Home in Elmwood.
Joe was born April 23, 1918 in Granville, IA, but grew up in the Elmwood Area. He was the son of Theodore and Catherine (Koehler) Geraets and Step-mother, Hilda (Grellinger) Geraets. Joe married Arlene Moen on October 26, 1946 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Farm Hill, rural Elmwood. They farmed in the Rock Elm Township rural Elmwood for many years. In 1986 Joe retired from the farm and he and Arlene moved to Elmwood and later they were the first residents to move into the Welcome Home Assisted Living Center in July of 2008.
Joe still came to the farm two or three times a day to help with the daily chores. He also enjoyed driving around the countryside with Arlene, watching sports, playing cards and most of all, Joe enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Arlene, three sons, Steve (Virginia), Douglas (Jayne) and Mark, all of Elmwood, one daughter, Yvonne (Dick) Gudim of Bloomington, MN, eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, four brothers, Henry of Elmwood, Francis of Lady Lake, FL, Ted of Lillian, AL, and Abbot David Geraets of San Louis Obispo, CA and one sister, Gertrude Geraets of Madison, IN, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded by his parents, four brothers, Leo, Lawrence, Fr. Chrysostom and Gary, five sisters, Marie Zittel, Sr. Hildegarde Geraets, Sr. Benedict Geraets, Johanna Helmueller and Lillian Bicknell.