Geraldine Haken
Geraldine Haken passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, service, and unwavering love that touched the lives of all who knew her.
Born in Malad, Idaho, to David Ruben Evans and Phillis Lola John-Evans, Geraldine was the middle child of five children. Her early years were spent in Gooding, Idaho, where her family operated a small farm with cows and horses. She treasured memories of herding cattle from the pasture into the barn for milking cows, alongside her siblings and cooling off with refreshing swims in the canal during hot summer days.
As a young girl, Geraldine found joy in simple pleasures—roller skating, dancing, and spending weekends at the movie theatre. Her love of reading was so strong that she and her sister Fauniece would sacrifice their lunch money to buy books at the Five and Dime store, with country western being among her favorites. This passion for country and gospel music would remain with her throughout her life. Geraldine’s faith was central to her life as an active member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, where she shared her beautiful voice in the choir for many years.
At age 15, Geraldine met her future husband, Bert Haken, through a mutual friend. Their connection was immediate and long lasting. They married in February, 1951. A year later, Geraldine became a mother with the birth of twins Colt and Tuwanna, whom she mourned deeply when they passed soon after they were born. Over the next decade, Geraldine’s family grew with the birth of son, Antonio, followed by identical twin daughters, Kit and Kim. Daughter, Chuwanna, completed their family in 1964, along with a move to the treasure valley area.
Never one to give up on her dreams, Geraldine earned her high school diploma from Boise High School at age 40, demonstrating the perseverance that defined her character throughout her life. Geraldine was a devoted homemaker and mother to her children. Her generous spirit extended into the community through volunteer work with programs such as Helping Hands and Kuna Good Neighbors.
Music remained the heartbeat of Geraldine’s life. She and Bert often hosted large gatherings at the historic 1910 Kuna Mora School House, where family and friends would come together for dancing and live music that echoed through the night. In the summer months, she and Bert often traveled to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to sing and play music with family and friends.
Geraldine was a woman of countless talents and creative pursuits. She was renowned for her homemade rice pudding, hand-pulled taffy and fresh baked bread. Her kitchen was a hub of activity where she spent countless hours canning fruits and jams, filling her home with the warmth of homemade goodness. Her artistic nature flourished through her oil paintings, quilting and embroidery, and card making. One of her greatest joys was making play dough with her grandchildren, creating memories that would last generations.
Geraldine’s life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of love to create lasting bonds across generations. Her memory will live on in the songs she sang, the quilts she stitched, the bread she baked, the children she raised, and the countless lives she touched with her generous heart.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bert Haken (2006), her infant twins Colt and Tuwanna, siblings Fauniece, Ronnie, Rhonda, and Lamar, and her grandson Matthew.
She is survived by four children (Antonio Haken, Kim Lippert, Kit Hayes, Chuwanna Brassfield), seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, all of whom will carry forward her legacy of love, creativity, and service to others.