Geneta JoAnn Koontz, 97
Known to all as “Ge”, born June 11, 1925, died May 31, 2023.
Ge passed away peacefully as she held her daughters’ hands at her bedside in Kenosha, WI on May 31, 2023.
Born to Emmett and Esther (Collenberg) Frakes on June 11, 1925, in SLC, Utah, Ge married the love of her life, Charles C. Koontz, “Bud”, on April 10, 1943. After his service in WWII, they lived where Bud had grown up, in Oregon, IL, and operated his bowling alley. In 1947 they began farming the land that became the Koontz family homestead on Moore Road, 2 miles south of Lindenwood. Ge did not consider herself to be the typical farmer’s wife, because she hated chickens and gardening, but she was always willing to drive a tractor when needed.
As a devoted wife and mother to her four children, Steve (1947), Terry (1949) Vickie (1951) and Scott (1953), Ge thought of her family as her greatest pride and joy. She actively participated in the Lindenwood Community Club, the Lindenwood Union Church Choir, and the church’s Ladies Aide. Her creative talents were often rewarded as she partnered with others in fundraisers and local clubs’ events.
The young girl from the big city adapted to the country lifestyle and considered her life to be totally fulfilled. Ge and Bud enjoyed their travels to international destinations and other beautiful places in the USA. Spending time with family and friends often happened at their cottage on Lauderdale Lakes in WI during the summertime, or in the warmth of Southern Texas during the wintertime.
Ge was preceded in death by her beloved Bud in 2004. In 2006 she moved to Kenosha, WI to be near her daughters. Ge is survived by her four children, Steve’s wife Carolyn (Meador), 9 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren, and will be remembered by all who knew her as a delightfully optimistic, lovely woman with a bit of a snarky wit that kept us on our toes. “Hey, hey!”
A celebration of Ge’s life will be hosted by the family in The Addison’s Hospitality Room at 9651 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI on July 15th from 1:30 – 3:30 PM. An informal memorial will be held at the Lindenwood Union Church on Monday, July 17, starting at 10:00 AM and proceeding to the Lindenwood Cemetery for burial of Bud and Ge’s cremated remains.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to Hospice Alliance in Pleasant Prairie, WI will be gratefully received. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all those who cared for Ge and made her difficult days better.
