Margaret E Geiger

Throughout her rich and rewarding life, Margaret Geiger poured her selfless compassion on all who were near. She was a loving wife and nurturing mother who was thrilled beyond measure to witness her family tree blossom to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were her greatest treasure. A lifelong resident of the community she loved, Margaret was a stranger to none and a friend to all who made a significant impact in the lives of everyone she met. She was never one to worry about building wealth, rather, she made it her focus to fully live in each and every moment she was given. Life will never be the same without Margaret here, but the priceless collection of memories she leaves behind will be cherished for generations to come.

With the end of WWI in 1918, America was recognized as a world leader and poised for greatness. We did not disappoint during the days of the Roaring Twenties as innovation was taking us places we had never been, transforming the way we lived our daily lives in the process. Cars were more affordable thanks to the assembly line while Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh took us soaring above the clouds. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1921 that brought great joy to a young couple from Whitley County, Indiana, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl on April 15th. She was one of six children born to her parents, John F. and Mabel A. (Jagger) Hazen, and she was raised in the family home alongside her sisters, Mildred and Phyllis, and her brothers, John, B. Franklin, and Paul. While a young girl Margarets family moved around a few times before finally settling in the Churubusco area. Money was tight, especially during the challenging days of the Great Depression throughout the 1930s, and the Hazen children did what they could to help including taking care of chores around the home. Margaret was a student at local schools who went on to graduate from Churubusco High School in 1939.

Not to be forgotten during Margarets years in high school was her introduction to the young man with whom she would share a lifetime of love. His name was Russell J. Geiger, and it wasnt long before the couple was deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Margaret and Russell were married on April 5, 1941, by Pastor Grabill at his home in South Whitley.

The newlyweds moved to a farm just East of Columbia City. Margaret settled into her roles as a homemaker and wife, and later she and her husband were filled with unspeakable joy to welcome five children including James, Jerry, Judy, Joan, and Jess into their hearts and home. As a stay at home mother with five children, Margaret perfected her skills in the kitchen. She made numerous hearty meals with her fried mush, homemade noodles, and pies with the lard crust being among the family favorites. A five gallon pail of lard to cook with was a staple in the Geiger home, too. Margaret also worked extensively around the farm as she gardened, canned, milked the cows, and even butchered the meat. Vacations were not possible with all of the work that the farm required since the cows needed to be milked twice a day, and the pigs, chicken, rabbits, and geese also needed to be tended to.

In addition to her roles around the house and farm, Margaret also kept busy with other things. For 25 years she worked as a home sales consultant for Stanley Home Products. Margaret did broomstick crochet, enjoyed sewing, and played the piano. In fact, she tried teaching her children to play until they found it more entertaining to simply pound on the keys! Over the years Margaret was an active part of her community. She was a member of Coesse United Methodist Church where she played the piano for 25 years and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 80 years; her father signed her up at the age of 13. Margaret was president of many organizations including the Women Society of Coesse United Methodist Church, Whitley County Senior Center, Whitley County Cancer Society, Whitley County Extension Homemakers Club and American Legion Auxiliary. In addition, she was a 4-H club leader and was the Senior Citizen Queen in both 1989 and 1999.

A gracious, kindhearted, and outgoing woman, there was no one who met Margaret Geiger and left unchanged. She was genuine in her concern for others and treated everyone with both respect and dignity. A hard worker, Margaret was a firm believer in staying busy and living an active lifestyle throughout nearly her entire life that spanned nearly a century. Her love for her family was unmatched, and it will be her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that carry on her timeless legacy.

Margaret E. Geiger, of Columbia City, Ind., passed at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2014, at The Oaks, Columbia City. Born on April 15, 1921, Margarets family includes her children, Judy D. (Ed) Demske, Joan L. (Joe) Miller and Jess L. (Kay) Geiger, all of Columbia City; daughters-in-law, Barbara J. Geiger and Cheryl Geiger, both of Columbia City; sisters, Mildred F. Hess of Columbia City and Phyllis J. Farmer of Kendallville; brother, Paul E. Hazen of Columbia City; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, James R. and Jerry A. Geiger; and brothers, John J. and B. Franklin Hazen.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, from 4-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Ousley and Pastor Steve Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Union Township Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in Mrs. Geiger's memory to Coesse United Methodist Church or Whitley County Senior Citizen Center.