Geraldine Rose Cassens, 92, of Resthave Care & Rehabilitation, in Morrison, IL, formerly of Prophetstown, IL, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Resthave.
Geri was born March 27, 1931, in Peoria, IL, to Carl and Ida (Streitmatter) Koehler. She was educated in the rural Whiteside County grade schools and graduated from Tampico High School in 1949, as her class Valedictorian. On January 8, 1949, she married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” L. Cassens. He passed away on December 5, 2018. Geri farmed alongside her husband in Loraine Township, Henry County, until her retirement. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown, where she participated in WELCA and the quilting group. She was a member of the Tampico Historical Society, Eight Mile Miss Club, and the Henry County Farm Bureau. She also volunteered at the Ronald Reagan Museum in Tampico, IL, and for the Vital Reading Program. Geri enjoyed gardening, camping, and traveling with her husband, Bob. She was a wonderful grandmother who made every effort to attend all of her grandchildren’s concerts, plays, recitals, and sporting events. Her grandchildren loved and adored her company and visiting her house. Geri’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughters, Vicky (Steve) Vandike of Geneseo, IL, and Susan (Randy) Skelton of Prophetstown; son, James (Nancy) Cassens of Geneseo; six grandchildren, Lisa (Mike) Aussieker, Emily (Alex Wilson) Skelton, Nathan (Heather) Vandike, Kelsey (Lyndon) Kayess, Valerie (Ian) Kline, and Christopher (Sanna Selda) Cassens; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Lou Benner of Tyler, TX; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob; sister, Shirley Temple; brother, Arlyn Koehler; nephew, Brad Temple.
The family would like to thank the staff of Resthave Care & Rehabilitation and Compassus Hospice for their care and assistance.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, July 28, 2023, at First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown, IL, officiated by Rev. Susan Davenport.
A Visitation will precede the service, starting at 2:00 p.m.
The Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown is in charge of arrangements.
Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Prophetstown, IL.
Memorials have been established to First Lutheran Church, Prophetstown, IL, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.