Geil, Rozella J.

Rozella J. Geil, 84, of Keota, died Friday, April 30, 2010, at Halcyon House Care Center in Washington, Iowa.

Rozie was born June 5, 1925, in Radcliffe, Iowa, to John and Rachel (Tjelta) Stole. She attended rural schools and graduated from New Providence High School. She then received her elementary education certificate from Ellsworth Junior College, B.A. in Education from William Penn College and M.A. from the University of Iowa in 1974. On May 4, 1947, Rozie was married to Joe Doud in Garden City, Iowa. Rozie lived in Eldora, Hubbard and Cedar Rapids, teaching school in Zearing, Hubbard and Cedar Rapids.

On Dec. 28, 1957, she married Joseph Ward Geil in Cedar Rapids. The couple made their home in Keota, where Rozie taught second grade at Mid Prairie Elementary School in Wellman, from 1960 until retiring in 1987. Rozie served as deputy county superintendent of Schools in Hardin County from 1946 to 1948, served as chairman of Ladies Day and other offices of Lagos Acres Country Club, was a member of the United Church of Faith, Women United and Fortnightly Club. Rozie also served on the Care Review Board for Maplewood Manor. In 1972, Rozie was named the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America. She enjoyed golfing, gardening, her flowers, sharing time with her family, baking and cooking and most of all being with her grandkids and great-grandkids.

Survivors include sons, Raymond (Janice) Doud of Schaumburg, Ill., Charles (Mary) Geil of Keota, and Michael (Dora) Geil of Fairbanks, Ala.; daughters, Rita Jo (Jim) Flynn of Harper, Shari (Michael) Schleef of Columbus Junction, and Cynthia (Randy) Tarrence of Keota; 20 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Alvina Brinkmeyer of Hubbard, Ilene (Wayne) Wiley of Albion, and Marilyn (Bill) Carlson of Cumberland, Wis.; and sister-in-law, Margaret Stole of Prairie Farm, Wis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe in 2000; sister, Janice Carter; and brother, Irvin Stole.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the United Church of Faith in Keota, with the Rev. Dennis Hopes officiating. Burial will be at Keota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Powell Funeral Home in Keota.

A memorial fund has been established for Lagos Acres, the Wilson Memorial Library and Hospice of Washington County.

Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Rozie and her family.

Condolences may be left at under obituaries.