Geraldine A. Jansen

Geraldine A. Jansen of Ogallala passed away Monday, October 1, 2018, at Indian Hills Healthcare Community at the age of 85.

Geraldine was born at Stambaugh, Michigan on December 20, 1932, to Eino J. and Edith L. Kaski. Gerry spent most of her childhood on the family farm near Crystal Falls, Michigan, where her parents had dairy cows. She had her own cow, "Princess." Together they won many a ribbon at the county and state fairs.

Gerry graduated from Crystal Falls High School in 1950 as class salutatorian. After high school she entered nurses training at the Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as an RN in 1954. Gerry and her good friend and fellow classmate, Gloria, took jobs at Children's Hospital in Denver, CO. It was there that Gerry met her future husband, Virgil Jansen when he was visiting his brother who also worked at the hospital. Virg and Gerry were married on February 28, 1959, in Crystal Falls. They then moved to the Jansen family farm near Paxton, Nebraska. There they farmed with Virg's parents, raising wheat, a large garden, and three children. One winter Gerry returned to nursing, working at the Perkins County Hospital. She enjoyed nursing again but the following summer busy farm life called her back.

Gerry was a lifelong baseball fan and while growing up her team was the Milwaukee Braves, later to become the Atlanta Braves, and she followed them faithfully on her transistor radio. She was very excited when the Colorado Rockies came to be and made many a trip to Denver to watch them play her beloved Braves. Gerry even made a couple of trips to Atlanta to watch her team play. She very seldom missed a televised game of her team. Gerry also followed the Broncos football team and the NE Huskers.

Following Virg's death, Gerry moved off the farm into Ogallala. She continued with her love of gardening and always had beautiful flowers. She took up bowling and really enjoyed that, traveling to many tournaments around the country with her teammates. Gerry also enjoyed taking bus tours with her friends, visiting many places all over the country. Gerry worked at the Holiday Inn for several years, serving the complimentary breakfast to hotel guests. She loved this job; she got to visit with people who were traveling through. She especially liked it when she met people from her home state of Michigan, talking about places they all knew.

Gerry is survived by her three children; Tina (Jim) Simeon of Ogallala, Gregg (Bellamy) Jansen of Dallas, TX, and Kelly (Patti) Jansen of Omaha; and one brother, Marvin Kaski of Escanaba, Ml. She has five grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her husband Virgil, her parents Eino and Edith, and one brother, Donald Kaski.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association in Gerry's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.

Services will be on Friday, October 5, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home Chapel in Ogallala with Pastor John Stubenrouch officiating. Burial will be in the Paxton Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Thursday, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.