65687_ Jean Geraldine_Polsdofer
ROCKWELL, Iowa — Jean Geraldine (Schoneman) Polsdofer, 90, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2013, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell, Iowa, where she had resided since August of 2010.
Online condolences may be left at www. Fullertonfh.com.
A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 502 Second Street South, Rockwell, Iowa. The Reverend Rhea Evanson will be officiating.
Interment will follow at the Rockwell Cemetery.
A visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at the church.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Hospice of North Iowa in remembrance of Geraldine.
Geraldine was born on a farm west of Swaledale, Iowa, on December 16, 1922, to Henry and Matilda (Jorgensen) Schoneman. She was baptized and confirmed in the Richland Lutheran Church in Thornton, Iowa.
She grew up in Swaledale, attended Swaledale Public School and graduated with the class of 1940. Geraldine fondly remembered being a part of the Swaledale girls high school basketball team that played in the state tournament in 1939.
On July 14, 1940, Geraldine married James Polsdofer, also of Swaledale, Iowa. They resided in Swaledale and Radcliff, but lived most of their life in Rockwell. Geraldine and Jim have three children: Larry (Debbie) Polsdofer of Longmont, Colorado; Edwin (Nancy) Polsdofer of Dallas, Texas; and Janet (Bill) Alger of Clear Lake, Iowa. They have seven grandchildren: Terry (Melonie), Douglas, Diane, Steven, Erik, Elizabeth (Jason), Sara (Scott); nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Geraldine has one surviving sister-in-law, Gladys Schoneman of Clear Lake, Iowa.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Roger; her brother-in-law, Chuck; sister-in-law, Phyllis; a grandson, Kenyon; and a great-grandson, Troy.
Geraldine worked outside the home for many years. As an adult she studied accounting at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) and was then employed by Vic and Van Accounting Associates in Mason City. Eventually she became the bookkeeper for the Burchinal Cooperative Elevator where she retired in 1985. She was very detail oriented in her work, making her an exceptional bookkeeper both on the job, and with finances.
After retirement, Geraldine and Jim spent many winters in Arizona, escaping from the cold weather and enjoying good times with friends, both old and new.
Geraldine and Jim were longtime members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockwell where Geraldine had been active in many church activities including Ladies Circle, Fellowship, Hostess committee, choir and Sunday school. She also enjoyed being a part of the Rockwell Grandmothers Club. She loved to play golf and especially enjoyed the times she was able to golf with her grandson from Colorado.
Geraldine was a beautiful seamstress, sewing many of her own clothes and also sewing for her daughter and granddaughters. She spent countless hours making Janet’s wedding gown and veil.
Geraldine enjoyed many common interests with her husband. They were active in the Rockwell Senior Citizens Center and had also been members of the Wig-Wam-Wagon Camp Club for many years. They enjoyed dancing, traveling and camping.
After celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary in July 2010, Geraldine’s health caused her to move into the nursing home in Rockwell. She was saddened to leave her home and live separately from Jim, but they made the best of it. Jim was able to be there most days to have lunch with Geraldine and attend many of the daily activities with her.
She never lost interest in her appearance, looking forward to her weekly hair appointments and daily to selecting a coordinating outfit and having her makeup on. She loved to be on the go and one of the things our family always said about Geraldine is, if the wheels were turning on the car, she wanted to be in it!
Geraldine will also be remembered by her family for making the absolute best lemon meringue pie!
Geraldine had a strong faith. She loved spending time with family and friends. She will be dearly missed by her husband, Jim, by her children, grandchildren, and many other family and friends.
Jim and the family wish to thank everyone at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home for their thoughtful support and for the wonderful care provided to Geraldine.
Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 120 S. Third St., Rockwell, Iowa 641-822-3191, www.Fullertonfh.com.