Geraldine Anna Reid

Geraldine Anna (Rhode) Foster Reid, the youngest of five children of Lucy Anna (Kemp) and Alonzo Lyman Rhode, was born on December 25, 1919 in Tabor, Iowa. She grew up on a farm near Tabor and graduated from Tabor High School. Geraldine worked at the Good Samaritan in Tabor for four years while attending St. Joseph Nursing School in Omaha, Nebraska.

Geraldine and Vernard Leon "Hap" Foster were united in marriage and were blessed with two children, Larry Lee and Jacquelyn Lucille. In 1957, Geraldine began work at the Nishna Cottage, a former hotel building, in Malvern, Iowa. She and Hap purchased the Nishna Cottage in 1959. Hap died of a heart attack on March 4, 1963.

Geraldine and John Arthur "Jack" Reid were married in 1970. They built a new nursing home in Malvern, named it the Nishna Care Center, and operated both facilities. Jack passed away on May 28, 1981. Following his death, Geraldine sold the care center and continued to operate the Nishna Cottage until her retirement in 2005, at the age of 87. Soon after, Geraldine and her son Larry moved to live near Glenwood, Iowa.

Geraldine spent most of her life attending the Reorganized Latter-Day Saints Church in Tabor until the church closed. She attended services at the Malvern United Methodist Church and many times brought Nishna Cottage residents and staff with her. Geraldine was a member of the Southwest Iowa Nursing Home Association and served as president for four years.

Geraldine was thrilled to have traveled to the Holy Land. She devoted her life to taking care of the elderly and sick. Her strong faith guided her through many difficult times. Geraldine especially loved spending time with her family and friends.

Due to declining heath, Geraldine moved to Tabor Manor in 2009. She passed away on June 24, 2012 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age of 92 years, 5 months, and 29 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Hap Foster and Jack Reid; daughter Jackie O'Banion; brothers, Wayne Rhode and wife Inez, Harold Rhode and wife Dola; and sisters, Winifred Elefson and husband Harve, and Bernice McMahill and husband Harold.

Geraldine is survived by her son Larry Foster of Tabor; grandchildren, Tammy Kivett and husband Bruce of Tonganoxie, KS, Jerry Foster and wife Jeanette of Glenwood, Brenda Foster of Randolph, IA, Paul Foster of Malvern, Louie O'Banion and wife Denise of Glenwood, and Rodney O'Banion of Tabor; eight great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

No scheduled visitation. Memorial services will be Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 11 AM at the Nazarene Church in Tabor. Private Inurnment. A memorial fund has been established.

Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern assisted the family with arrangements.