Geraldine Eleanor Secrist

Geraldine Eleanor Secrist, 84, of La Crosse, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center. She was born to Lawrence and Evelyn (Schara) Secrist on March 3, 1934 in North Freedom, WI. Geraldine graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1952. In May of 1957, she became a registered x-ray technician at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, IL. She married Richard “Zeke” Secrist on October 25, 1958. She worked at Grandview Hospital until the birth of her first child. Geraldine was a member of English Lutheran Church in La Crosse and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Loganville, WI. Some of her favorite hobbies included gardening, reading, eating chocolate and playing with her cats, George 1 and 2. She also loved watching tv and to travel. In her younger days, she would go dancing with friends and would watch Richard play 16 inch softball in the 60’s and 70’s Tavern League for Schmidty’s and the Bohemian Hall. She was known for her “ballteam baked beans” at picnics. She was an avid Green Bay Packer, Milwaukee Brewer and Wisconsin Badger fan.

Geraldine is survived by her son, Karl Sr.; daughters, Lynn Marie (Mark) Grosch and Susan Secrist Lampman all of La Crosse, grandchildren, Karl Jr, and Hannah Abigail, also of La Crosse, brother, Charles Kopf of Reedsburg, WI; sister-in-law Lois Kopf of Loganville, WI and several cousins. She is furthered survived by special family friends Priscilla Graf and her children, Sheila Bachmann and family and Michele Pacl and family.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Zeke” Secrist, infant son, James, her parents; Lawrence and Evelyn Kopf, in-laws; Dale and Pearle Secrist, brother; Gordon Kopf and brothers-in-law; Robert and Ralph Secrist.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m. at English Lutheran Church with Rev. Becky Goche officiating. Friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. Private burial will take place in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center and especially Dr. David Momont for the excellent care that they provided to Geraldine.