Geraldine Anne Poels, 93, of Grand Island, NE, passed away November 5, 2015 at home with her family by her side. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am Wednesday, November 11, at St. Mary's Cathedral with The Reverend Don Buhrman and The Reverend Richard Piontkowski officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7pm with a Christian Wake Service at 7:00pm at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home.

She was born on April 1, 1922 at Oakland, CA to Gerald J. and Virginia (Gambetta) Brusher. She grew up in Oakland and received her teaching degree from College of Holy Names in Oakland.  She taught for 2 years in Oakland before meeting her future husband Lambert.

Geraldine was united in marriage to Lambert Poels on February 23, 1946 in Oakland, CA.  She and Bert moved to Lambert's home state of Minnesota and began their family. With 4 children already in tow, they finally settled in Grand Island in 1952, and added 7 boys and another girl. (what were they thinking!)

She resumed her teaching career after her youngest child, Leonard started school, and taught at St. Mary's until it closed. She then taught at District 28 Country School and later at Wood River Country School until it closed.  She also taught at Central Catholic High School until she retired from teaching in 1987.

She believed fiercely in the power of prayer and would take a 'group' of her children, on Friday nights to St Mary's Cathedral for Novenas.  Sunday afternoons the same group would be with her at the 'Holy Hour' services.  She was a member of The Catholic Daughters, and the woman's auxiliary of the Wood River/Alda VFW Post 4677. She was a charter member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, St. and was a member of the Leo's Church Ladies.

Geraldine loved reading, gardening, watching birds, and often loaded the 'kids' in the car for a Sunday drive in the country, something she had enjoyed doing with her family in California and she was a huge Nebraska Football fan. Evidently, this year was a big disappointment for her!

Geraldine's humble spirit, combined with her unwavering faith gave her an unmatched grace and abundance of sprit, frequently remarked upon by those who knew her. She was constant in those attributes, throughout her life, and that will be her treasured legacy.  Geraldine was an incredibly generous, gracious and forgiving lady who always put others, first.  No matter what pains she suffered, in all of life's ups and downs, she believed always, in God's will, not hers.

Those left to honor her memory are her children, L. Joseph Poels of Falls Church, VA, Mary K. Kirkendall of Roseburg, OR, Theresa M. Holt of Oviedo, FL, Gerald W. Poels of Grand Island, Gregory M. Poels of Bainbridge, WA, Paul M. Poels of Portland, PA, Karen E. Poels of Grand Island, Edward J. Poels of Shanghai, China and Leonard G. Poels of Ankeny, IA.  A sister, Virginia Crinnion of Oakland, CA; 2 brothers, William Brusher of Oakland, CA, and Edward Brusher of Portland, OR, numerous grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, Ella Washington, and Theodore Kapakui.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lambert, her daughter Virginia, and 2 sons, Thomas and Francis.

Memorials are suggested to Central Catholic High School. Online condolences may be directed to www.livson.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am Wednesday, November 11, at St. Mary's Cathedral with The Reverend Don Buhrman and The Reverend Richard Piontkowski officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7pm with a Christian Wake Service at 7:00pm at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to Central Catholic High School. Online condolences may be directed to www.livson.com.