Geraldine Kozel
March 31, 2012
- Share:
-
-
-
Service Details
Geraldine E. Kozel, 84, died March 31, 2012, at Kavanagh House Hospice in Des Moines, IA. Gerry was born in 1927, in Lodi, WI, to Ralph and Bertha (Weast) Densmore of the Town of West Point. She worked on her family’s farm and later as the “hired girl” for a neighbor family from age 12. After graduating from Lodi High School at age 16, she worked in Lodi for Earl Hillestad in the Gamble Store. When she turned 18 she attended cosmetology school in Madison, and later worked at Oscar Mayer for 7 years. She married Merle Knuteson in 1948, and had a daughter, Karen. In 1955, she married James Kozel. Gerry gained a step-daughter, Kathryn, and gave birth to a son, James. For more than 20 years, Gerry and Jim together owned and operated Lodi’s Jimmie’s Supper Club. They sold Jimmie’s in 1967, and bought a farm in Portage, where they became involved in raising and racing quarter horses. During this time Gerry also worked part-time at The Owl’s Nest in Poynette. In time the farm was sold, and they moved back to Lodi until Jim’s untimely death in 1977. Gerry then moved to Middleton and worked until retirement as one of “the ice cream ladies” at Babcock Hall. After retiring from the State of WI, she worked at Fitzgerald’s supper club for 12 years. Gerry moved to Cannery Row in Waunakee in 2004, and a year ago to Wesley Acres in Des Moines, IA.
Gerry took up golf in 1977, and was an avid player-enthusiast for many years. She proudly displayed her hole-in-one trophy earned in 1993.
Surviving Gerry are her children Karen Herwig (Steven) of West Des Moines, Iowa, James Kozel, Jr. (Shelba Pruett), of LaFeria, TX, and Kathryn Kozel of Waunakee; a sister-in-law, Della Densmore, of Clovis, CA; as well as five grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many devoted friends for which she was so very grateful. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James, and her brother, Donald Densmore.
Per Gerry’s wishes, her body was donated to the Des Moines University College of Medicine, and no services are planned at this time. Memorials may be directed to Middleton Outreach Ministry, 7432 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Susan Masino
04/09/2012
So sorry to hear of Gerry's passing. She was a great lady and always very kind to me and my family. I have fond memories of riding horses on her and Jim's farm in Portage when I was a kid. She will be missed.
God bless, Sue, John and Jamey Masino
Diane Grob Eberdt,
04/04/2012
It was always such a joy to see your mom when Willies was still opened. She came to lunch each week and always had kind things to say. She gave us a picture that your dad took of our dad when they were up north hunting. What a perfect picture, typical of "George". He was coming out of the outhouse wearing a red and black plaid hunting jacket with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. She got a big kick out of that. Our mom's family and the Densmores go back to our mothers's childhoods. We have wonderful pictures of your mother in our parents wedding. They went so many places together and had great fun. Moms are tough to lose, but thankfully we were blessed with good ones. Diane and Dorothea
Diane Grob Eberdt, Dorothea Grob Johnson
04/04/2012
It was always such a joy to see your mom when Willies was still opened. She came to lunch each week and always had kind things to say. She gave us a picture that your dad took of our dad when they were up north hunting. What a perfect picture, typical of "George". He was coming out of the outhouse wearing a red and black plaid hunting jacket with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. She got a big kick out of that. Our mom's family and the Densmores go back to our mothers's childhoods. We have wonderful pictures of your mother in our parents wedding. They went so many places together and had great fun. Moms are tough to lose, but thankfully we were blessed with good ones. Diane and Dorothea