Geraldine "Geri" McCloud
June 22, 1930 ~ December 1, 2013
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Geraldine Ann “Geri”, “Gramma Geri” (Birrenkott) McCloud, 83, of Faulkton passed away Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. She was surrounded by the love of her many children and grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2013 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Faulkton with Fr. Joji Itukulapati officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2013 at the church with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.
Geri Birrenkott was born June 22, 1930 to Adolph “Otto” and Elizabeth “Elsie” (Stoppelworth) Birrenkott. She lived most of her years growing up in the small home just north of the Catholic Church in Faulkton. Her youth was spent riding horses with her dear friend Jody (Roberts) Burns and playing any sport she could. She graduated from Faulkton High School in 1948.
She was united in marriage to John “Jack” Lawrence McCloud on November 3, 1948 at the St. Thomas Catholic Church. The newlyweds moved to a farm by Wecota owned by Geri’s Aunt Clara and Uncle Ernie Niederbaumer. The couple lived with and worked for them until they moved to the Mina Miller home south of Cresbard to begin working for Wendell Way. They then moved to the Doyle Bowar farm while still working for Wendell. In 1953 or ’54, they purchased the farmstead owned by Carl Blake and it was on this farm that they would raise their children. Let the memories begin!! In 1986, with finally an empty nest, the couple purchased the Larry Traver home in Faulkton which is where they lived until their passing. Their son Jeff and grandson Landon continue to operate the farm east of Faulkton, a true tribute to their love of farm life.
How do we sum up Gram Ger in a paragraph or two? Her passion and values ran deep! Her passions….Sports….Anyone who knew her doesn’t need an explanation for this one. Her beloved and betrothed Vikings and Twins were the subject of many a conversations. She was either watching sports on TV, listening on the radio, or there in person. The Faulkton Trojans, Rapid City Raiders, Canyon Lake Allstars, HotShots, 4-Corners Baseball, and the Orient Ball teams….will never have a truer fan. Miles were never an issue when it came to supporting her grandkids. She was looking forward to continuing to follow the Coyotes of USD and to begin following the NSU Wolves. She will have the best seat in heaven. Her passion for Cooking…Done so effortlessly…sometimes for crowds of 100. How she loved to feed us all!!! Her Christmas goodies, her fried chicken, her special burgers…will be missed and never duplicated.
And her values: Commitment…married 53 years…she would say…”If the good outweighs the bad…you stick with it”, because no marriage is perfect. Generosity…almost to a fault…always a giver and never a taker…Her generosity even led her to the casinos to donate to them occasionally. How she loved those trips with good friends! In the last few months it was hard for her to accept help from others…it was not in her nature to not be the one giving and to have to be receiving support and help. Hard work…Her hands told the story of her life as a hardworking farmwife beside her partner in life, Jack. Selflessness…It was never about her. Volunteerism…mowing the Miranda ball field, working concessions, hosting picnics, helping with 4-H, serving on committees, and cooking for fundraisers. Faith…Unwaving. Home…No home was ever more welcoming, warm and full of unconditional love. Friendship…3:00 coffee hour, Wednesday night darts, Tuesday night golf/cards, and in years past…whist card parties, cruises, snowmobile trips, dances, fish fries and of course her annual Super Bowl party. Laughter…How she valued this…Forgiveness…She never seemed to hold a grudge…well maybe against “Gardy” and “Farve”…she just didn’t like them. Mother…a title that she seemingly earned so effortlessly even though we know this title that she valued so deeply was not one without heartache. She was the kind of mom we can only strive to become. Grandma…another thing she valued beyond comprehension. Her “real” Grandkids were her pride and joy…all of her many “extra” grandkids were not far behind…how she loved each of you who so lovingly called her “Grama Geri”. Family…Her most prized possession…the value she put on this was infinite. May these values and passions live on through her family and friends.
Those who are left with grateful hearts are her daughters: Georgia (Ken) Mitchell, Eagan, MN, Janice (special friend, Diane) McCloud, Faulkton, and JoAnn (Terry) Aesoph, Orient; her sons: Gene (Cathy) McCloud, Grand Island, NE, Jeff (Tammy) McCloud, Cresbard, and John (Mary) McCloud, Rapid City; and Jack’s brother Stanley (Jeanette) McCloud, Cresbard, who came to live with them when he was 11. Grandchildren: Bill (Dove) Mitchell, Loren and William, Eagan, MN, Mike Mitchell, El Paso, TX, Kate (John) Alfonzo, Oliver, Chicago, IL, Andrew (Ashley) McCloud, Miya, Pierre, Jackie (Justin) Goosic, Will and Jake, Grand Island, NE, Andrea (Wyatt) Simpson, Adison, Grand Island, NE, Ashley (special friend, Eric) McCloud, Sioux Falls, Meghan (Cortney) Mitchell, Shenandoah, TX, Landon McCloud, Cresbard, Maleri McCloud, SDSU, Margaret and Jack McCloud, USD, Sam and Molly, Rapid City, Makenzie Aesoph, SDSU, Sioux Falls, Kody, SDSU, Rob, NSU, Maddy and Maria, Orient; one brother Vernon (Phylis) Birrenkott, Fresno, CA; and many nieces and nephews and in-laws.
She was greeted in heaven by: husband, Jack (2001); sister, Sylvia; brother, Ves; her parents; and many family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be used for athletic scholarships and the Faulk County Library.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Geri’s arrangements.
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Grandma Geri will be missed dearly! She was like a grandma to all of us. We spent many days at her house and many 4th of July’s watching the fireworks on her trampoline. I am Keeping her family in my thoughts and prayers!
Our sympathy to you. We hope your many wonderful memories will sustain you in this time of grief.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Gerry’s family may they bring you comfort. In Deepest Sympathy,
You are in my thoughts and prayers! Our family was touch three generations deep by this amazing lady that never left you wondering how she felt on any subject! She will be forever in my prayers and life! Thank you grandma Gerri for all your advice and love!!!
Although we did not know your mom, I know she was someone very special. JoAnn always spoke so highly of her. It’s never easy losing a parent no matter what the age or circumstance. May God wrap his arms around her family and sustain all of you during this sad time. Sincerely, Melvin & Debbie
I will always remember my many summers as the “adopted” McCloud as I think I lived over at the farm more than with my own family. I am so glad I was able to see her and everyone else in August at the reunion. She was a true piller of the family and your tribute describes her perfectly! My deepest sympathies to all of the family, Mamma Geri will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with the entire McCloud family. Cherish all your wonderful memories.
Eric and Frieda
What a beautifully written obituary. It describes her to the T!
Our thoughts, prayers, blessings and
strength to the family in this time of sorrow. May God Bless!!!
With such sadness, I extend my sincere sympathy to each of the family. Since we were neighbors for so many years, I fondly remember your Mom always working and doing for others. Life was never about her, it was always about what she could do for you. Wanting nothing in return, she gladly “gave” to family, friends and community. She was the pillar of strength in any situation. Her obituary is such a wonderful tribue to her life. She will be dearly missed by so many, God will guide you in the days ahead.
I would like to extend my sympathy to the McCloud family and all of Geri’s very best friends.
I always enjoyed watching the ladies gather for their 3 o’clock coffee date over the years and Geri was always there if they needed a ride.
Now she is free from pain and she is able to be with Jack again.
Cherish the memories!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families today and the days to come. She was a special person and will be missed. She will be remembered with fondness and a smile.
What a great written tribute to Geri, she would have approved. I remember all of the great times I had at the farm with ya’ll. She will have a heck of a reunion with Jack in heaven. I miss you all. Pete
To the Family of Geraldine “Geri” McCloud,
Losing a loved overwhelms us with grief. However, please take comfort in knowing that Jesus feels your pain. In fact, this is proven in John 11 verses 11-14, 39, 43, and 44 where Jesus wept when his dear friend Lazarus died while he was on earth. Yet minutes later he raised Lazarus back to life. Thus demonstrating how he genuinely cares as well as the power he holds over death. which strengthens our faith and give us the confidence in the resurrection promise. Having been appointed King by Jehovah God, Daniel 7: 13 and 14 explains that Jesus will one day rule the entire earth from God’s Heavenly Kingdom/Government. When that happens, under his father’s direction, Jesus will eliminate all the problems we face today like: SICKNESS, OLD AGE, WAR, VIOLENCE, PAIN, DEATH… EVEN OUR DEAD LOVED ONES WILL BE RESURRECTED with the opportunity to live forever as indicated in (Isaiah 33:24); (Job 33:25); (Psalms 46: 9 and 10); (Isaiah 2: 4); (Psalms 37: 9-11 and 29); (Revelation 21: 3 and 4); (John 5: 28 and 29). To learn more and find out how you can benefit from those blessings, please contact the local congregation of Jehovah’s witnesses for a FREE home Bible study. (John 17:3)
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