Laura Lena Geiger

Laura Lena Geiger was born on February 4, 1916 to Wilhelm Jr. and Augusta Reus Geiger in La Coste, Texas. She was baptized on April 9, 1916 and confirmed on June 22, 1930 in the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Castroville, Texas. Laura went home to be with her Lord on August 31, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 95.

When Laura was two years old her father died unexpectedly of typhoid fever. She grew up on the family dairy farm with her widowed mother and grandmother Reus, two sisters and a brother, surrounded by a community of relatives and friends in Medina County where she started her education. She received a diploma from the local elementary school on May 17, 1929. She went on to the La Coste High School where she received a diploma on May 27, 1932. Then she completed her high school education at Lytle High School on May 25, 1934. She continued her education at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin where she graduated cum laude with a Degree of Associate in Arts on May 29, 1936. Her college activities included Luther League, band, drama and sports. She completed her B.A. degree in Education at the University of San Antonio (now Trinity University) on May 27, 1941.

In the early 1940’s the Geiger family left the farm and moved to San Antonio where they purchased a house together, supported one another in their pursuits of higher education and took care of their widowed mother. Laura dedicated her career to teaching first grade at David Barkley Elementary School. On August 17, 1950 Laura completed a M.A. degree in Education from Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado. During her career Laura received numerous awards for Teacher of the Year. After 49 years of teaching first grade she retired in 1986. Laura who remained unmarried, devoted her life to teaching children, participating in numerous activities at St. John’s Lutheran Church where she was a member most of her adult life, caring for her mother and other family members, and volunteering in the community especially with St. Luke’s Hospital. She was also an active member of Retired Teachers of San Antonio and several other professional organizations. Her hobbies included photography, traveling with friends and family, jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles, reading, knitting and baking her famous yellow layer cakes which she made and delivered when she attended family and friend’s birthdays and other celebrations.

Laura was preceded in death by her father, her mother, two sisters, Alma Spenn and her husband Rev. Melvin Spenn, Hulda Tollefson and her husband Alfred Tollefson, and her brother Rev. Paul Geiger. She is survived by her sister-in-law Dorothy Geiger, five nephews: William Spenn, John Spenn, Paul Geiger, Jr., Alfred Tollefson, Jr., Calvin Tollefson, two nieces: Mimi Bradley and Carolyn Frederickson and all of their families including spouses and numerous great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 5, 2011 at Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery Fund, 502 E. Nueva (78205). Please visit www.funerariadelangelroyakers.com for online tributes.