Geraldine “Geri” Patricia Reeder

Geraldine “Geri” Patricia Reeder

Geraldine “Geri” Patricia Reeder, age 91, passed into her heavenly home and the arms of her Savior on Monday, July 3, 2023.

Geri was born Oct. 17, 1931 in Uniontown, Kan., to Ebbie E. and Hazel D. Wolford.

Although she lived some of her early years in towns along the old Missouri Pacific Railroad line due to her father’s work, she lived the majority of her life in the town she loved, Bronson.

She attended the Bronson schools and graduated from there in 1949. Her love of music led her to participate in glee club, band and orchestra. While attending Bronson High she met and dated the man who would be the love of her life, Elvis Myrle. They were married on July 16, 1950 at the Bronson Methodist Church by Rev. Henry E. Milliken. This union would see 68 years prior to Elvis’s death.

Geri was a lifetime member of the Bronson Methodist church and served in numerous capacities, but served for decades as a youth Sunday School teacher having begun teaching at 13 years old. She was also a lifetime Eastern Star member, Bronson Ruritan member, former city council member, Cub Scout den mother, and member of numerous clubs and civic organizations. She loved to hand quilt and no one she met was a stranger for very long. She loved every four-legged creature, but most especially her cat Itsy-Bitsy.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elvis, parents Ebbie and Hazel, brother Roger E. Wolford, sisters Betty Johnson and Corrine McAllister, and a son Elvis Erwin Reeder.

Geri is survived by son Steve and wife Betty of Carl Junction, Mo.; granddaughters Sonia and husband Paul Jones of Garnett, Kan.; Andrea and husband Michael Page of Culleoka, Tenn.; Kattia and husband Tim Thompson of Gas, Kan. Grandsons Bill and wife Laci Reeder of Emporia, KS; Todd and wife Ashley Reeder of Independence, Kan.; Zach Andrews currently serving in the U.S. Navy; 10 great-grandchildren, beloved nieces and nephews, many other beloved family and friends.

There was cremation. Pastor Todd Reeder and Pastor Tracy Smith will conduct celebration of life services on Saturday, July 15, at 11 a.m. at the Bronson United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time in the Church Annex. Private burial of cremains will take place in Bronson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Bronson United Methodist Church and may be left at the church or in care of Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.