Geraldine Elizabeth Sperry

Marengo-Geraldine Elizabeth Sperry, 94 of Marengo passed away at Rose Haven Nursing Home on Monday December 22, 2014. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Monday, December 29, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Fr. Joseph Roost will officiate. Burial will be at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, December 28, 2014 at the Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg from 2:00 to 4:00 pm with a prayer service at 2:00 pm. Memorials are for St. Mary Catholic Church or Iowa County Fair Building Project. Messages may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Geraldine E. Staelens was born November 2, 1920 in rural Williamsburg, the daughter of Bruno and Elizabeth (Fetzer) Staelens. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's in Williamsburg. She graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1939. Geraldine was united in marriage to Ivan Delmar Sperry on June 15, 1939 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They celebrated 66 years of marriage. The couple moved to Cedar Rapids for 24 years and returned to the Williamsburg family farm when her parents died.
Important in her life was her faith, family and friends. She taught be setting a good example, a meticulous person about herself, family and home. A very kind hearted gracious person with a touch of spark, but always a lady. She was proud of the family Century Farm, presented in 1992.
She learned to dance the jig with her father at barn dances. She then taught Ivan to dance, and they frequented the CSPS, CZBJ, Eagles in Cedar Rapids and Fairfax.
Along with being a homemaker, she worked temporarily at Immaculate Conception School lunch room and JCPenneys in Cedar Rapids. Geraldine loved crafting, flowers, dancing and bowling. She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Altar and Rosary Society and Womens Bowling League.
She is survived by her daughter: Ardath E. Davis of Marengo; step grandson: Lee Davis (children Bailee and Jacob) of San Diego, CA; step granddaughter: Lisa Popelka (children Cassidy and Alex) of Marengo; a step great great granddaughter: Ayla and a sister-in-law: Mildred Sperry of Mt. Vernon along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ivan 2005 and a son-in-law, Keith Davis 2007.

The family would like to thank the staff of Rose Haven, Dr. Rachow and Hospice Compassus for their care, compassion and support.