Geneva Pauline Lee, 101, formerly of Dawson, Nebraska, was born on July 30, 1919, in Goff, Kansas, to the late Santa Brammer and the late Sadie (Lancaster) Rhoades. She was the firstborn of seven kids. Geneva grew up on a Kansas farm, moving to Nebraska in 1933. She graduated from Honey Creek High School with the class of 1938. On January 20, 1939, Geneva was united in marriage to William Virgil Lee. To this union, a daughter, Donna Kay, was born. The couple farmed south of Dawson until moving to Dawson in 1970, where they drove school busses for the Dawson public school for ten years. When the weather was good, they spent most of their free time fishing in the lakes and rivers. They taught grandson, Marc, to fish; he soon was catching the most fish! Geneva was a charter member on the Dawson Community Improvement Program that started in 1972, winning a state award, presented in person by the Governor in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2012, Geneva moved to Kansas City to live near her family. She was happy every day and lived independently until her death. Geneva will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Geneva passed away after a short illness on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at the Shawnee Post Acute Rehabilitation Center in Overland Park, Kansas, having reached the earthly age of 101 years, two months and seven days. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson Bradley vonBergen, a sister Ilene (Lauren) Priest, brothers Glenn (Ruth) and Harold (Zola) Brammer, brothers-in-law Junior Humfeld and Kermit Shawl and son-in-law Michael vonBergen.
Geneva is survived by her daughter Donna “Kay” vonBergen of Olathe, KS; grandchildren: Marc vonBergen and wife Patricia of Odessa, TX; Stacia Hawkins and husband Bobby of Merriam, KS; great-grandchildren: Valarie Hawkins of Shawnee, KS; Spencer Hawkins of Shawnee, KS; Brandon vonBergen of Odessa, TX; sisters: Mary Humfeld of Queen Valley, AZ; Carolyn Jo Shawl of rural Humboldt, NE; a brother Fred Brammer and wife Shirley of Fairview, KS; and other relatives and friends.
Gravesides Memorial Services for family and friends will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the Wild Rose Cemetery south of Dawson, Nebraska, with Pastor Howard Blecha officiating.
In lieu of flowers, Geneva suggested memorial contributions to the Humane Society of the United States.
Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com. Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha Street-Humboldt, NE 68376 (402) 862-2915
