Genevieve Crider

The funeral service for Genevieve Crider of Eagle Bend, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at the Southbrook Baptist Church in Wadena, with Pastor Jacob Heppner officiating. The visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from Noon until the time of service. With family at her side, Genevieve passed away on Monday, October 19, 2015, at the Tri-County Hosptial in Wadena. She was 85 years old. Genevieve Mae Nelson Crider was born September 21, 1930, at Long Prairie, MN, to Art and Minnie Nelson. She was the youngest of seven children. She grew up on the family farm in rural Clarissa. She attended the District 47 rural school, just across the road from home, for eight years, then transferred to Clarissa High School, graduating with the Class of 1948. After high school, Genny worked at the bank in Clarissa, a job she enjoyed and often talked about throughout her life. She married LaVern Crider at age twenty-one, on January 26, 1952, a bitterly cold winter day, at the small rural Free Mission Church near the Nelson farm. Genny’s young brother-in-law, Rev. Harold Reemtsma, performed the ceremony, which was followed by a reception at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Dot and Rudy Aspengren. LaVern and Genny rented a farm in rural Bertha when they were first married. They soon purchased a farm, one mile north of Eagle Bend, near LaVern’s parents, Vernon and Melvie Crider. Five children were born to LaVern and Genny; James, Karen, Janice, Brenda and Alan, who were all raised on the farm and shared in the farm work. LaVern and Genny lived on the farm for fifty years. In April of 2004, they moved to a home in Wadena, MN, where they continued to live until the present. Genny was a good homemaker and worked hard on the farm. She raised a big garden and helped with the field work. Her cooking skills were legendary; roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, meatballs, cinnamon rolls and chocolate cake were definite family favorites. She enjoyed bowling in a Friday afternoon league for several years and loved to fish, especially for northern at Lake Itasca. She and LaVern enjoyed traveling and camping, first in a Bethany pop-up trailer, then a pickup camper and finally a fifth-wheel trailer, which they took across the country several times in the winter months. They also spent a lot of time camping at Itasca State Park in the summer. Just a few weeks ago, Genny, LaVern, their "kids" and spouses enjoyed the annual September birthday celebration "up north" at Brenda and Jim’s lake home. This year marked Genny’s 85th birthday. The family enjoyed traditional lemon filling cake and white icing, followed by lots of good singing around the piano. Genny accepted Christ as her personal Savior at age thirteen, after hearing a Gospel presentation at the Assemblies of God Church in Eagle Bend. She was baptized by immersion in the Long Prairie River. She was raised in the Free Mission Church. Genny and LaVern and their children attended there until 1972, when they joined Southbrook Baptist Church in Wadena, where they are still members. Genny taught Sunday School, directed Christmas programs, played the piano, sang special music, and was always faithful in her witness for Christ. She was eager to be with her Lord and made that known, especially in the recent days of her declining health. Genny was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Minnie Nelson; siblings, Wallace “Bud”, Dorothy “Dot” Aspengren, Clifford and Orlyn; grandson, Kyle Crider; and son-in-law, Gary Kosel. She is survived by husband, LaVern; children, Jim (Bonnie), Karen (Morrie) Stenberg, Jan Kosel, Brenda (Jim) Ley, and Al (Carolyn); brother, Donald (Eunice); sister, Jean Reemtsma; sister-in-law, Lorraine Nelson, ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Eagle Bend, MN. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

Genevieve Crider

September 21, 1930 - October 19, 2015