Geraldine “Geri” Farr

 Geraldine "Geri" Farr

Geraldine “Geri” Farr

Geraldine “Geri” Farr
December 18, 1920 – August 29, 2014
Grinnell & New Sharon, Iowa | Age 93

Geraldine “Geri” Farr, 93 of Grinnell and formerly of New Sharon passed away peacefully Friday evening, August 29, 2014 at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Geraldine Farr, the daughter of Paul and LaVada (Striegle) McMains, was born on December 18, 1920 in Mahaska County.

They resided near the Yankee Robinson Corner/Spring Valley, Iowa area for many years, where her father farmed and she attended Mormon Point Country School. eventually they moved to New Sharon.

Geri and Billy Wood Farr were married April 26, 1946, following Bills return from WWII. Bill worked for the telephone company where they lived in small towns in S.E Iowa. In the early 50’s they started farming near Forest Home, near Montezuma, where her daughters were born. In 1956, they moved to Arizona with two of her sisters. They eventually relocated to Southern California in 1957,  near Bill’s mother and sister.

In 1959, they moved back to the Forest Home area again and farmed. Bill worked construction and together they farmed and milked cows. After they sold the cows, Geri worked in New Sharon at the Maid Rite and Pantry Café. They moved to Montezuma in 1973 and Geri worked several places, eventually acquiring her Med Aide certification while working at the Poweshiek County Diamond Life Center. Meanwhile, Bill worked for the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s office. In 1983, they retired and moved to New Sharon.

Geri and Bill loved to travel and spent that first winter in Arizona with family. In 1984, Bill passed while on vacation in Tennessee with family. Geri remained in New Sharon until 2003 when she moved to Diamond Life in Montezuma where she felt she had “come home”, having loved the residents and her co-workers. In 2004, she entered St. Francis Manor in Grinnell, following a broken hip, where she was cared for and loved by so many wonderful caregivers and friends.

There were seldom boring moments with Geri. She had many friends and an infectious laugh that many remember her by. She was stubborn and could get her “Irish” up sometimes and you always knew where you stood with her. She was the rock of her family having taken on responsibilities with her siblings at a young age and she loved her siblings without reservation. She loved and cared for her girls and grandchildren, kept in touch with their family and spent time with friends. She gave humor to most situations and loved to tease people. She could “dish it out” as well as receive the humor.

Geri knew the good Lord, who gave her many blessings. She mattered in this world and her love and laughter will live on.

She is survived by her daughters: Pam (& Donnie) Smith of New Sharon and Mona (& Darwin Koenig) Bond of Ankeny; four grandsons: Kirk (& Jill Altringer) Bond, Mark Bond, Travis (& Stephanie Haworth) Smith and Steve (& Jody) Smith; 10 great grandchildren: Brock and Brandt Bond, Grant Smith, Garrett, Josephine, Gable and Jaelyn Bond, Logan Smith and Victoria and Vanessa Murphy; her sisters: Neva Hughes of Hereford, Arizona and Vera (& Bob) McDougal of Lehigh Acres, Florida; a sister in law, Pat McMains of Pleasantville; and a host of wonderful nieces, nephews and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents; her in-laws, Harold & Hazel Williams; one brother, Lowell McMains; two sisters: Norma Clements and Jean McAdoo; and a host of good friends.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Monday, September 1, 2014 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in New Sharon. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.
Burial will be held in the Highland Cemetery in New Sharon.
Visitation will begin after 2:00 pm with the family present from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday, August 31, 2014 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Manor.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.hollandcoblefuneralhomes.com.

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