Geraldine Wilson

Geraldine  Wilson

Feb. 3, 1921 - April 4, 2017

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Geraldine  Wilson, 96, of North Platte, died April 4, 2017, in North Platte.  

Geraldine Virginia Perks - Wilson was born Feb. 3, 1921, at Wichita, Kan., to Samuel and Elma (Hinton) Perks. She lived there until age one, when her parents moved to Stockville, Neb., three and half miles southwest. She attended District 31, Rising Sun, through eighth grade and two years at Stockville Rural High School. She then attended two years at the University Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis to take normal training, graduating with a teacher’s certificate in the spring of 1937. She taught two and half years in rural schools.

She married Delbert Wilson of Moorefield on Sept. 3, 1939, at Penalossa, Kan., by her grandfather, Dr. T. W . Perks; to this union four children were born: Margie Belle, Betty Ruth, Rosezella Virginia and Vernon Delbert. They lived south of Moorefield until 1950, when they moved to their ranch one and and half miles east of Stockville. They farmed and raised cattle. After Delbert’s death on June 21, 1989, she continued living at the farm until July 1, 2007, when she moved to Senior Living Choices in Curtis, Neb. She then moved to Linden Court in North Platte in 2012.

Geraldine was a member of United Church of Christ at Stockville, where she was a pianist and taught Sunday school for many years. She was a member of the Lucky Star 4-H club as a youth and later was a leader for many years. She was a F.C.E. member for many years.

Geraldine joined the Rebecca Lodge in 1950 and served as pianist and secretary for 25 years. She was noble grand and past grand several times and served as appointed state offices. Although inactive, she maintained her membership.

She was in the Ladies Encampment Auxiliary and served as chef matriarch, secretary, was junior warden, senior warden and served as grand matriarch of the State of Nebraska. She was a member of Ladies Auxiliary of the Patriarch Militant of North Platte. Geraldine was chief matriarch, secretary at the grand lodge high priestess, junior and senior warden and grand high priestess.

She was active in her community, belonging to the Stockville Fellowship, pinochle club and friendship club. She loved playing cards, embroidering and crocheting, making afghans for each of her grandchildren for high school graduation. She made baby afghans for her great- and great-great-grandchildren and family and friends.

Survivors include children, Margie Surber, Betty Ruth (Arden) La Shell, Rosezella (Don) Edwards and Vernon (Jane) Wilson;  14 grandchildren, Vickie (Eldon) Thomas, Wyatt (Debbie) Surver, Arden La Shell Jr., Judy La Shell, Nancy La Shell, Connie (Donald) Whited, Jackie (Todd) Herman, Karen Burgos, Daren (Juanita) La Shell, Douglas (Bonnie) Edwards, Justin (Heather) Edwards, Jill (Geroge) Schaeffer, Kristen (Jonathon) Harris and Wendy (Jake) Hansen;  20 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Marcile Nelson; brother, Marlin (Letha) Perks; sister-in-law, Zella Mae Sanders; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Elma Perks; husband, Delbert Wilson; great-granddaughter, Heather Housden; great-grandson, Gauge Edwards; and son-in-law Clare Surber. 

Visitation will be Thursday, April 6, 2017, 1 to 8 p.m., at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Curtis.

Services will be at Stockville Congregational Church on Friday, April 7, 2017, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jean Miller officiating.  

Interment will follow in the Arbor Cemetery, Stockville.

Memorials may be given to the Stockville Congregational Church, Stockville, NE 69042.  To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.

Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Curtis is in charge of arrangements.