Christian Biography of Geraldine "Geri" M. Ostdiek

Geraldine M. Ostdiek, the daughter of Theodore and Minnie Schendt, was born on September 30, 1931 on a farm near Nelson, Nebraska. She passed away on May 12, 2013 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska at the age of 81 years, 7 months, 12 days.

She was the middle child of seven children: William, Marie, Raymond, Geri, Joseph, Catherine and Bernard. Geraldine (Geri as she was known to all) grew up on the family farm south of Lawrence. She attended rural grade school and graduated from Nelson High School with the Class of 1949.

On May 6, 1952 she was united in marriage to Bernard J. Ostdiek at the St. Stephen's Catholic Church south of Lawrence, Nebraska and to this union 6 children were born. Sons: Gary, Thomas and Loren and daughters: Carolyn, Dianne and Janet.

She spent her years raising their six children and was also employed as a bookkeeper at the Bailey & Lynch elevator in Mt. Clare, Nebraska, the REA office in Nelson, she had a cake decorating business from her home and later she was the Secretary-Bookkeeper for the Lawrence Public School in Lawrence, she also worked at the Good Samaritan Center in Nelson. In 1983 they moved to Superior where she became the manager of the Plains Motel for 5 years before her retirement.


Geri had a passion for cooking, sewing, reading, cross word and jig saw puzzles and she loved to travel. But most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren which were very important to her and she was very proud of them all. She did volunteer work at the Good Samaritan Society in Superior and also worked the Blood Mobile whenever it was in Superior.

She was a member of the St. Stephen's Catholic Church, rural Lawrence and their Altar Society and the Home and School Association, later becoming a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Altar Society, she held many offices in each organization. For years she would lead the rosary before Masses at St. Joseph's. Her Catholic faith was a very important part of her life. Geri and Bernard celebrated 51 years of marriage before Bernard's passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bernard on November 13, 2003; sister, Catherine Yakus, brothers, Raymond and Joseph Schendt and sisters-in-law, Lola Schendt, Agnes Ostdiek and Viola Pavelka, three grandsons Jason and David Menke, and Michael Willey and one granddaughter Renee Ostdiek.

She is survived by her children; survivors include her son, Gary (Bernita) of Nelson, Nebraska; daughter, Carolyn Menke (Ray) of Hastings, Nebraska; son Thomas (Deb) of Superior, Nebraska; son, Loren (Karen) of Lawrence, Nebraska; daughters, Dianne Willey (Pat) of Hastings, Nebraska and Janet Brooke (John) of Hastings, Nebraska; 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, William "Bill" Schendt, Hastings, Nebraska, sister, Marie (Everett) James of Olathe, Kansas and brother, Bernard "Butch" (Elaine) Schendt of Grandview, Missouri; brother-in-law, Vince Ostdiek (Evelyn) of Hastings, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Rita Mazour (Jerome)and Eleanor Schendt all of Lawrence, Nebraska; brothers-in-law Alvin Pavelka of Cartersville,Georgia;and Leonard Yakus (Joniece)of Omaha, Nebraska;and sister-in-law Shirley Dove (Clarence) of Webber, Kansas; along with a host of many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, May 15th at 10:30 AM at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Superior, Nebraska. Rosary services were held on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 7:00 pm from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior, Nebraska with Father Brad Zitek officiating. Richard Sullivan acolyte, Deb Ostdiek lector, Jared Dressman and Adin Leibel as altar servers.

Music was congregational hymns "Here I Am Lord," "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," "You Are Mine," and "Be Not Afraid," and solo "Precious Lord Take My Hand" sung by Arnold Miller with Carlita Price as organist.

Visitation was held on May 14, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home with family present to greet friends from 4-7 PM and the Rosary Service at 7:00 PM.

Pallbearers were Chad Ostdiek, Daren Ostdiek, Kevin Ostdiek, Wes Ostdiek, Wade Ostdiek, Perry Snook, Josh Willey and Bob Yakus. Honorary Pallbearers were Angie Kleen, Stacy Eickman, Julie Bornemeier, Michelle Snook, Lisa Menke-Stidd, Jody Vernon, Tracy Ostdiek, Kelly Ostdiek and Nikki Buchanan.

Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery at Superior, Nebraska.

Memorials in care of the family. Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.