![\"\"](\"https:\/\/graufuneralhomes.com\/lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Gerry-French-1-250x317.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Geraldine French\u2019s Memorial Service\u00a0had to be postponed hours before the service, due to a late notification of a positive COVID test of one of the immediate family members.\u00a0The Memorial Service has been rescheduled for 3:00 PM on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader.\u00a0 Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 PM also at the church.\u00a0 Inurnment will follow at East Side Cemetery, Elkader<\/strong><\/p>\n Geraldine (Gerry) Adeline French<\/strong> left her earthly home to join the love of her life and her lord on October 12, 2020.\u00a0 Gerry was born March 23, 1928, outside Geddes, South Dakota to Andrew and Adela (Bartekoske) Shea, the oldest of 14 children.<\/p>\n Gerry was united in marriage to Kenneth (Kenny) Gene French on March 17, 1955, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader, Iowa.\u00a0 Together, they had seven children: Terry (Dan) Sullivan, Dodgeville, Wisconsin; Sharon Taylor, Arlington, Iowa; Jeanne (Mark) Mellon, Guttenberg, Iowa; Cindy (Steve) Wendl, Anamosa, Iowa; Jayme French, Manchester, Iowa; Gary (Jennifer) French, Sydney, Australia; and Merry French, Aurora, Iowa.<\/p>\n Gerry is survived by her seven children; grandchildren \u2013 Lisa (Ben) Stewart, Darrin (Katie) Sullivan, Kenny (Angie) Taylor, Duane Taylor, Aubrey (Josh) Dudley, Michael Mellon, Bridget (Paul) Ehrhardt, Molly Mellon, Joe (Sarah) Wendl, Andy French and Christian French and 18 great-grandchildren.\u00a0 Brother Timothy (Arlene) Shea of Tennessee; sisters, Joanne Whittle of Elkader, Rose (Cletus) Meyer of Dubuque, Judy Davies and Patricia Bromley of Florida and Marcy Kelly of Montana.<\/p>\n Those who preceded her to the kingdom of heaven include her beloved husband, Kenny; her parents; brothers, Bernard, Joseph, Frank, Norman and Martin in infancy; sisters Evelyn and Vernita.<\/p>\n Gerry lived in the Geddes and Platte, South Dakota area, before moving to Northeast Iowa as a teenager.\u00a0 She lived in Volga, where she graduated from high school, then Elkader.\u00a0 Gerry worked a number of jobs including at the Elkader Plating Plant, Dean\u2019s Super Value and Peace Church.\u00a0 She will long be remembered for her service at Peace Church where she was a custodian, bell ringer, funeral worker and all-around helper.\u00a0 She was a long-time member of Peace United Church of Christ and the American Legion Auxiliary.<\/p>\n Gerry was a \u2018go-getter\u2019 from a young age.\u00a0 She helped raise her younger siblings, before going on to raise her own family.\u00a0 Gerry sewed many of her children\u2019s clothes when they were younger, as well as canning vegetables from her large garden.\u00a0 She was a great cook and her homemade chicken noodle soup and potato salad were favorites among her family.\u00a0 Gerry learned to crochet later in life and made afghans and pillows for all of her children and grandchildren.\u00a0 She enjoyed being outside, animals of all kinds and had a sense of adventure, taking several trips abroad and always being willing to try something new. \u00a0Family was very important to her and she was always willing to lend a helping hand to her children, grandchildren and others whenever needed.\u00a0 Gerry will be greatly missed by her family and she will be lovingly remembered for the inspiration she was.<\/p>\n