Geraldine L. Katz

Geraldine Lee (Sisler) Katz was born July 17, 1932 in Pekin, Illinois, the daughter to Marie (Boettcher) Sisler and Elmer Cal Sisler. The family moved to Fairbury, Nebraska in 1946 when her father retired from the Corn Products Refining Company. She graduated from Fairbury High School in 1950, and worked as a Dental Assistant to Dr. Wm. M. Downs for three years. She met Lee, her future husband there when he became a patient.

On September 2, 1951, she was united in marriage to (Herman) Lee Katz and to this union four children were born – Warren, who died in infancy, James, Lyle and Julie. They lived and farmed in the Jansen, NE area until 1975 when they moved to Fairbury. Although they moved to town, Lee continued to farm until his retirement in 2002.

She was active in the community and served on several committees and boards, including the Fairbury School Board as Board President from 1978-1980. She had been a church organist, Sunday School teacher, and especially enjoyed hosting and guiding Bible studies in her home for many years. Her hobbies included music, flowers, quilting, reading and traveling. She was a dedicated worker within the Republican Party and was appointed as Admiral in the Great Navy of Nebraska by Governor Kay Orr.

In 1995, she entered into partnership to create the Oregon Trail Development Company to purchase and renovate the Golden Rule Building which housed the original Hested’s Dime Store. Later that year, Stagecoach Mall Antiques & Gifts was awarded the Nebraska Economic Development Award, under the management of her daughter, Julie.

She is survived by her children, James Katz and wife Shirley, Lyle Katz and wife, Tammy, and Julie Katz Russell; Grandchildren, Lindsey Katz Gyhra and husband Jeffery, Calvin Katz and wife Miranda, Jessica Katz Else and husband Spenser, and Brandon Katz, Megan Katz Sothen, Luke Katz and wife Rachel, Jennifer (Wade) Lewis, Rachel Russell; Great-grandchildren, John Lewis, Michael Lewis, Ollie Gyhra, Sophia Katz, Camden Baxa, Amira Baxa, Tinzley Katz, Ella Mae Else; Great-great grandchildren, Kayden, Dexter, Jaxen; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death was her husband Herman Lee, an infant son, Warren, her parents, sister Helen Butterfield, 2 sisters-in-law, Bertha Shamburg and Lora Endorf, 3 brothers-in-law, Bill Shamburg, Lawrence Butterfield, and Ernest G. Endorf, son-in-law Wade Russell, nephew Calvin Butterfield, grandson Wade Lewis.

Services will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home Chapel in Fairbury, NE, with Pastor Paul Carpenter officiating.  Burial will be in the Fairbury City Cemetery.  A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home Chapel.  Memorials are designated to family’s choice.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home of Fairbury is assisting the family with arrangements.