Geraldine Sperry

GERALDINE SPERRY

Marengo

Geraldine Elizabeth Sperry, 94, of Marengo, passed away at Rose Haven Nursing Home on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Father

Joseph Roost will officiate. Burial will be at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 28, at Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg from 2 to 4 p.m., with a prayer service at 2 p.m.

The family suggests memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church or Iowa County Fair Building Project.

Messages may be left at www.powellfuneral homes.com.

Geraldine E. Staelens was born Nov. 2, 1920, in rural Williamsburg, the daughter of Bruno and Elizabeth (Fetzer) Staelens. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's in Williamsburg. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1939. Geraldine was united in marriage to Ivan Delmar Sperry on June 15, 1939, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They celebrated 66 years of marriage. The couple moved to Cedar Rapids for 24 years and returned to the Williamsburg family farm when her parents died.

Important in her life were her faith, family and friends. She taught by setting a good example, a meticulous person about herself, family and home – a very kind-hearted gracious person with a touch of spark, but always a lady. She was proud of the family Century Farm, presented in 1992.

She learned to dance the jig with her father at barn dances. She then taught Ivan to dance, and they frequented the CSPS, CZBJ and Eagles in Cedar Rapids and Fairfax.

Along with being a homemaker, she worked temporarily at Immaculate Conception School lunch room and J.C. Penney in Cedar Rapids. Geraldine loved crafting, flowers, dancing and bowling.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Altar and Rosary Society and Women's Bowling League.

She is survived by her daughter, Ardath E. Davis of Marengo; stepgrandson, Lee Davis (children Bailee and Jacob) of San Diego, Calif.; stepgranddaughter, Lisa Popelka (children Cassidy and Alex) of Marengo; a stepgreat-great-granddaughter, Ayla; and a sister-in-law, Mildred Sperry of Mount Vernon; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ivan, in 2005, and a son-in-law, Keith Davis, in 2007.

The family would like to thank the staff of Rose Haven, Dr. Rachow and Hospice Compassus for their care, compassion and support.