Boots, Geraldine E.

Geraldine E. Boots, 95, of Olin, died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at Anamosa Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 22, at Lahey Funeral Home in Olin. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Olin Cemetery.

Geraldine Elva Thumma was born July 7, 1916, in Morley, Iowa, to Alvin Ray and Valentine Effie (Wells) Thumma. She married Kenneth L. Sweet on March 31, 1934. Bernard R. Boots and Geraldine were married on July 1, 1947. Geraldine worked in all the restaurants in Olin as a waitress in the 40s, and farmed with her husband near Olin. In 1960, they moved to Olin helping her husband run a livestock business. She also ran a bakery out of her home.

In September 1954, Geraldine was paralyzed as a result of polio. God had always been by her side. She had a good life and good help along the way. She enjoyed baking, gardening and making quilts.

She is survived by her son, Harold (Marlyn) Sweet of Olin; a daughter-in-law, Gerry Sweet of Central City; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Harold (Deloris) Thumma of Anamosa.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands; her parents; one son, Marion in 1977; two sisters; and one brother.

Memorials are preferred.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published in The Gazette June 20, 2012.