Geraldine Reaves

Geraldine (Gerry) Elizabeth Block Reaves passed away peacefully at home with her sweetheart of 62 years on Saturday August 27, 2011. Geraldine was born May 13, 1932 in Cairo, Kansas to John and Mary Block, the 3rd youngest of 16 children. They moved to Arkansas, Colorado, and back to Cairo, Kansas by the time she was 7 years old. She started school in Preston, Kansas through junior high school. She worked as a waitress and as a telephone operator until she was 18 years old. Then she met the love of her life, an oilfield roughneck, Wallace Reaves, as he cruised the main drag of Pratt, Kansas in his new Pontiac convertible on the last day of February 1950. He remembered that day with flowers for the next 62 years. They married on June 17, 1950 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in McPherson, Kansas. They moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where she worked as a typist (self taught) to put Wallace through college at Tulsa University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology. They went to work for Conoco moving to Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, Colorado, and Louisiana. In 1965 they moved to Billings, Montana with their six children. In 1967 they finally settled in Casper, Wyoming where they have remained for 44 years. Gerry was active at St. Anthony's School where she was instrumental in starting sports for girls, coaching the girl's volleyball team and teaching the girl's gym class.
When the youngest child was settled in school, Gerry started on her career. She began in the medical field, spending many years at The Medical Lab and with Dr. Roussalis. She then switched gears and spent 23 years with architects Henry Therkildsen and Patrick Amend. She retired from JC Penney Styling Salon after 13 years.
She served in many capacities in the various organizations that she was involved with, including Cana Club, Geo wives and Gourmet Club. She will be remembered for her ingenious decorations, centerpieces and nametags for years to come. She enjoyed creative hobbies such as quilting, sewing (saving lots of money clothing 6 kids), crafts and home décor. She loved beautiful clothing and had a fabulous sense of style.
She is survived by her husband Wallace Reaves , son Lindall and wife Esther of Casper, daughter Leisa (Leake) and husband Caleb of Littleton, Colorado, daughter Lynette (Briggs) and husband Garry of Columbine Valley, Colorado, daughter Laura (Hauffe) and husband Talbot of Cheyenne Wyoming, son Lindsey of Tucson, Arizona, daughter Libby (Burlingham) and husband Scott of Hamilton, Montana. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Jennifer Worthing and husband Josh of Casper, Aaron Lujan of Phoenix, Arizona, Robert Kirkham of Denver, Colorado, Mallory Leake of Littleton, Colorado, Brandon Leake of Rochester, Minnesota, Jason Reaves and wife Brianna of Casper, and Hannah Burlingham of Hamilton, Montana. She was also blessed with 3 great grandchildren Nichole and Isabell Worthing, and Liam Reaves, all of Casper.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 31 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Newcomer Funeral Home followed by the Parish Rosary at 7:00 pm at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.
FUNERAL SERVICES: will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 1, 2011 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery. Memorials may be made directly to the Lupus Foundation of America Utah Chapter, 455 E. 500 LL2, Salt Lake City, Utah 8411.