Elizabeth L. Geiger Marnette

Elizabeth L. (Betty Lou) Geiger Marnette
February 06, 1921 - May 05, 2009
Sacramento, CA and North English, IA
Graveside Service: 1:00 PM May 13, 2009 at North English Cemetery, North English, IA
Elizabeth L. (Betty Lou) Geiger Marnette was born in North English, Iowa, on February 6, 1921, the daughter of Ulysses and Mary Dorothy Kueneman Geiger. She was the first female graduate of the University of Minnesota's Medical Technician's program. She was a founding force behind the Sacramento Blood Bank and was an honorary life member of the California Blood Bank System. She served as its president from 1974-1975 and in 1980 received the CBBS Owen Thomas Memorial Award. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Blood Banks. She was a member of Sodality of the B.V.M. She was a long-time member of the Sacramento branch of the American Association of University Women. For many years, Betty Lou was an avid softball player. After her husband's death, Betty was a frequent volunteer at Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary. She died on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in Sacramento, CA. She is survived by her niece Susan Geiger-Schragge (Bryan), and grand-niece, Rebecca Schragge. Other survivors are sisters-in-law Patricia Jones (Philip), Francis Stewart (Jimmie L.), Catherine Goodrich, Mary W. Boger (Donald) and brother-in-law Joel Marnette as well as many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and a great-grand nephew in her late husbands family. She was predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Franklin Howard Marnette. A funeral service will be held in the East Lawn Memorial Park Chapel, 43rd and Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA, on Sunday, May 10th, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., Bishop Francis Quinn officiating. A graveside service will take place in the North English Cemetery, North English, Iowa at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, 701 56th Street, Sacramento, 95819 or the charity of your choice. Powell Funeral Home, North English, is in charge of local arrangements.