Erika Geis

As read by grandson Patrick:

Grandma was born on the farm in Mosside where she lived all of her life.

She was the youngest of three girls to Henry and Magdelene Gerloff.

She went to Craven school in the Mosside district and enjoyed life on the farm, helping her parents.

Her mother had lost her sight in an accident so there was always lots to do.

In 1957 she married Don Geis and they took over the Gerloff farm. They had a dairy herd which was dispersed in 1987 and so left more time to concentrate on their Angus herd which had been established in 1975.

In 1991 Don passed away suddenly, Erika remained on the farm with Brian and Kim as they continued to farm together.

Grandma always had a huge productive garden with corn as tall as the trees and raspberries that she shared with all. She spent hours with her flowers and loved watching and identifying the birds at the feeders.

In her later years she took up painting and spent countless hours creating her masterpieces. She designed many projects from new and antique pieces for friends and family. Grandma took a huge amount of time in detailing all her work, always fixing and perfecting each picture. Her self taught technique by the artist on TV shows improved her passion to paint as she continued to get better with each picture she completed.

Grandma was always very good at whatever she did.

Everyone that visited the farm had to stop for a coffee, baking, or even better, a three course meal along with a good chat.

A conversation or phone call with her was always interesting and enjoyed.

Uncle Brian recalls a time when the phone rang one morning, Grandma answered and talked a good 15/20 minutes, when asked who called she replied it was a "wrong number" She had talked long enough to know that the fellow that called was a Texan, his first name, what he did for a living and how the weather was down there.

For the last 16 years she was blessed with a great companion Bill Cook. They enjoyed spending time with both families. Also, they took trips to Kansas, California, The Maritimes, Australia, New Zealand, and more.

Grandma and Bill were kept very busy attending as many of the grand kids activities as possible: hockey, baseball, dance, 4-H, piano and school activities. She also missed very few cattle sales and shows where she went to see old friends and always made some new ones. It was always important to Grandma to introduce these new and old friends to her family, who she was so proud of.

Erika leaves to mourn her best friend Bill. Her eldest daughter, Darlene and Glen Glessman, daughter Brenda and Terry O'Brien and one son Brian and Kim Geis. Six Grandchildren Melissa and Kyle Beattie, Patrick and Kelsey O'Brien, Kurt Glessman, Amy Glessman, Jenna Geis and Robert Geis. One great grand child Rylan O'Brien. Two sisters Inga Arndt, and Ursuala Nicol and many nieces and Nephews. Also Bill’s sister Jean Lang his brother Denis and Carolyn Cook. Bill’s sons and families Tim and Lousie Cook, Nathan and Nolan. Rob and Sue Cook, Jenniffer, Sarah, Mathew, Madison and Sophie. Stu and Kim Cook, Emily and Ben.

She was very proud of her whole family and extended family.

Everyone that she met remained a friend.

With her recent illness she always stayed positive and never complained. In the last weeks when she was in the hospital with family all around she added her thoughts and humor to our conversations and blew and received kisses from her great grandson. She was always thankful for the support that she received from family and friends.

She was very thankful for spending 16 wonderful years with Bill, and especially for how good he was for grandma in the last few months. She will be sorrowfully missed by her many friends and family.

We love you Grandma "You're the Best"