Geraldine Ann (Horsman) Alger
Geraldine Ann (Horsman) Alger
Lisbon
Geraldine Ann (Horsman) Alger, 84, of Lisbon, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Living Hope Global Methodist Church in Lisbon, Iowa. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM at the church, with a luncheon to follow. Cards and memorials may be given to the Alger family at 1270 Sutliff 2nd Road, Lisbon, IA 52253. Online condolences may be expressed at www.iowacremation.com.
Geraldine was born on February 17, 1940, in Washington, Minnesota to Dwight and Ethel (Oviatt) Horsman. At the age of 6, she moved with family to Spring Valley, where she attended school. She often said she had an amazing and happy childhood. For several months, she attended a one-room country school before moving into town. At times, she tagged along with her dad to go coon hunting. Geraldine had wonderful memories of her mom and grandma shopping in Rochester. She declared she was lucky to be a teen of the 50’s! Lots of music and dancing at family gatherings, among other places.
Geraldine married Bruce Alger on September 15, 1956, eloping to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and was married by the Justice of the Peace. They farmed for 10 years and then owned and operated B&G Feed and Grain until 1983. Geraldine worked for 20 years (1983 to 2003) at United Way of East Central Iowa in Cedar Rapids. She was the first woman elected to the Lisbon town council in 1976. She loved to play cards, go to dances, listen to an array of music, play slot machines and spend time with her beloved family.
Survivors include her daughters, Bobbi Kruse (Howard Gollobit), Sutliff, Iowa; and Betsy Jeffrey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sons, Barry (Cindy) Alger, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Brian (Lisa) Alger, Mechanicsville, Iowa; sisters Joan Newkirk, Faye Alger, and Gale Markley; special cousin Mary Ellen Oviatt; 10 grandchildren, Brianna (Ryan) Koester, Kassidy (Ashley) Kruse, Monikka (Ryan) Fuller, Grant (Lacy) Alger, Alicia (Cory) Gatzemeyer, Andrew (Amanda) LeGrand Jeffrey, Jamie Murphy, Luke Jeffrey, Abby Alger and Kal (Rachel) Alger; 27 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Geraldine is preceded in death by her husband Bruce; parents Dwight and Ethel; grandparents Cleve and Cora Oviatt; foster brother Melvin Smith; brothers-in-law Harvey Newkirk, Richard Alger, Larry Alger and Lester Alger; and son-in-law Brian Kruse.