Memorial
Geraldine Hanna (Haddy) passed away on February 9th, 2020, three hours shy of her 99th birthday, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. There will be a visitation held from 5-7 pm on Thursday, February 13th, followed by a Trisagion Service at 7:00 PM at St. George Orthodox Church, 3650 Cottage Grove Avenue SE. The funeral service will be held Friday, February 14th, 2020 at 10:00 AM, also at St. George Church. There will be a luncheon following burial at St. George Church Hall.
Geraldine was born on February 10, 1921 in Thompson, Iowa, to Alex and Hazel Haddy. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1939. Prior to her graduation, she worked from age 12 in her parents’ grocery store. She could add columns of numbers faster in her head than she could on an adding machine.
She was proud to say she won the Mardi Gras pageant in 1939. She graduated with straight A’s and because of that, the Coca-Cola Company awarded her with a case of pop. Upon winning the $100 grand prize, she took a trip to Los Angeles and San Francisco. In addition, Geraldine was a beautiful piano player and used her skills to teach piano.
When World War II broke out, she went to work at Wenkstern-Hasley making crystals for radios used during the war effort.
Prior to the war, she met her future husband, Edward (Eddie) Hanna at a church convention at the Hotel Savory in Des Moines. During his service overseas, they continued to correspond until he returned to the States in 1945. They married that same year on September 23rd and were together for almost 60 years until his death in 2005. To that union, they had four children. She and Eddie worked side by side throughout their marriage in their own businesses, most notably Eddie’s Pizzeria before retirement. Through those years, she was very active in church presiding as President of the St. George Ladies Auxiliary, receiving the Bishops’ award for her dedication and service. Her favorite hobby was playing duplicate bridge and was a few points short of becoming a life master, but gave it up to become a caregiver to her family.
Geraldine loved watching pro basketball and knew every team and players. It was always a good conversation starter.
Most of all, her greatest joy in life was her family. She loved nothing more than having holidays and family gatherings in her home.
Geraldine is survived by three daughters, Judy Curtis-Latessa (Phil), Gayle Goodale (Michael), Stephanie Venditelli and one son, George Hanna (Mary), five grandchildren, Grant and Greg Goodale, Alex and Luke Hanna, Clint Curtis, four great-grandchildren, Carson and Cameron Goodale, Liam and Henry Curtis; and sisters Phyllis Santas and Joan Phelps of Las Vegas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, her parents, Alex and Hazel Haddy, sisters Mary and Helen, and her brother, George.
The family would like to thank Dr. Melanie Stahlberg and the staff of the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for their unwavering dedication and care.
Heaven has welcomed a special lady.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. George Orthodox Church.