Shirley Geers

Shirley Ann Geers, 83, passed away unexpectedly in her Littleton home on Thursday, December 26th. She was born Shirley Emge on September 30, 1930 in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in the St. Louis area. She received a speech and drama degree in 1952 from Fontbonne University. On December 27, 1952 she married Joseph Geers. They started their family in October 1953 with the birth of their daughter Patty. Anne followed in 1954, Beth in 1957, Karen in 1960, Susie in 1961 and finally Jenny in 1972. During these years they left St. Louis for California and New Jersey before settling in Colorado in 1970. Shirley was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, and her daughters all share her deep love of family. She had a love for good food and good wine, which she happily enjoyed with others. She was curious about the world, and traveled to Europe, southern Africa, Brazil, the Panama Canal, and New Zealand. As recently as last winter she visited Cuba. She was also an enthusiastic jazz fan and flew to California and Arizona for yearly festivals. She was intellectually curious, and read widely on history, biography, and the political world, with some fun detective fiction thrown in for good measure. There were always at least two books sitting by her chair. Above all she valued family, and her large brood always enjoyed visiting her home for the love, fun and good food which was available in abundance. This year, as her usual custom, she hosted all 26 family members for the traditional Christmas Eve festivities. She has left an extensive legacy: She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Joseph. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Patty Geers, Anne and Dave Hnida, Beth and Bob Loftis, Karen and Mike Osborne, Susie and Mike Stevens, and Jenny and Robert Behnke. She leaves behind 13 grandchildren: Shay and Chad Wilcox, Katie Hnida, Joe Hnida, Rachael Stevens, Kristen Hnida, Jeffrey Stevens, Jim Hnida, Shannon Osborne, Matt Loftis, Ellen Loftis, Megan Osborne, Bryson Behnke and Caroline Behnke, and her great-granddaughter Avery Wilcox. Other family includes her brother Warren ""Skip"" Emge, and sisters Nancy (Joe) Linhares and Jane Rouse and their extended families. A service will be held at Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 6673 West Chatfield Avenue, Littleton on Friday, January 3 at 10:30 am. Shirley was generous and liked to help others so in lieu of flowers friends may donate to Warren Village: www.warrenvillage.org/donate or The Denver Rescue Mission: www.denverrescuemission.org/donate Please share memories of Shirley and condolences with her family by signing the online guestbook below.