"I knew Gerry before school days. Our family lived near the Tuschoffs and we played together when ever we could. In 1936 we moved to MN, but we still played when we came back to Iowa to visit relatives. She was always a delight and come from a very nice familyl Norma Jipson Knight"
In loving memory of
Gerry Griffiths
February 20, 1933 - December 13, 2014
A FUNERAL SERVICE FOR 81 YEAR OLD GERRY GRIFFITHS OF OKOBOJI, WILL BE HELD AT 11:00A.M. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2014, AT THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN SPENCER. VISITATION WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, FROM 5:00P.M. UNTIL 7:00P.M. AT THE SCHUCHERT-LENTZ FUNERAL HOME. BURIAL WILL BE AT LAKEVIEW GARDENS CEMETERY. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS MAY BE GIVEN IN GERRY'S NAME.
Geraldine, "Gerry," Griffiths was born on a farm north of Everly, Iowa, on February 20, 1933 to Chris and Ora (Lighter) Tuschoff. She went to be with the Lord on December 13, 2014, at St. Mary's Hospital - Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, surrounded by her husband and children.
Being raised on farms in the Everly & Moneta areas, she later attended and graduated from Gillette Grove High School. After studying Home Economics at Iowa State University for one semester, she married Robert Griffiths on December 27, 1952. They lived in Storm Lake while Bob attended Buena Vista University then moved to Ft. Smith, Arkansas & Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, where Bob served in the United States Army. The next destination was Iowa City & the University of Iowa. After a quick stay in Davenport, they made their way to Okoboji, IA, in 1963, where they raised their three children. Her beautiful home was a demonstration of her beautiful spirit, being able to watch the deer and wild turkeys while doing dishes was one of her simple pleasures.
Gerry was an amazing hostess to anyone that entered her home. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, and cooking. She and her husband, Bob, owned Spirit Lake Clinic Pharmacy & Spirit Lake Drug for many years where she maintained the books and did the buying for the gift store, including the Hallmark cards and ornaments. Gerry has been an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes for decades and has attended many of their sporting events. She also was the number one fan for all her grandkids school activities as they grew up. Gerry was a member of PEO, LBU, bridge clubs, Arpoki, and the women's group at First Christian Church in Spencer, IA. She taught Sunday School for many years and numerous volunteer jobs in the church and at her children's school.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert, "Bob," Griffiths of the family home in Okoboji, Iowa. Sisters; Virginia (Logan) Dunham, Carroll, Iowa, Ardyce (Bill) Stevenson, Spencer, Iowa, Lois (Ron) McConkey, Lewistown, Montana. Her children; Debra (Richard) Harding of Olathe, Colorado, John (Robyn) Griffiths, of Boise, Idaho, and Jeff (Patti) Griffiths, of Okoboji, Iowa. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Benjamin (Jordan) Griffiths of Seattle, Washington, Brian Griffiths, Boise, Idaho, Sharon Griffiths, Mason City, Iowa, Jennifer (Brian) Funk, Ankeny, Iowa, Melissa Harding, Fort Worth, Texas, David (Jessica) Harding, Fort Worth, Texas, Derek (Emily) True, Dallas, Texas, Ariel Campbell, Montrose, Colorado. In addition, she is survived by her great grandchildren; Joshua Campbell, Montrose, Colorado, Hunter Harding and Harper Harding, Fort Worth, Texas. Numerous nephews and nieces, their spouses and children, shared many memorable moments on Lake Okoboji with Gerry along with her "Fishing Buddies" in Canada.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Merle Tuschoff.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gerry Griffiths Memorial Fund at First Christian Church, 701 East 18th St. Spencer, IA 51301.
Tributes
"Bob and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest sympathy."
"Gerry was always full of smiles when I would see her in the halls of FCC!! She was a very special lady!! To Bob and the family, you are in my thoughts and prayers!"
"So sorry to hear of Gerry's passing. She was such a neat lady and always had the greatest smile. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Bonnie Duhn"
"Dear Bob & Family, we were very saddened to hear about Gerry's passing. We have many treasure memories of all the time we spent with all of you at the drug store. She was a wonderful lady! Know that we are thinking of you all and sending our prayers at this difficult time. Larry Gilbert & Chris/Angela Geinitz family."
"Bob and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Gerry's passing. We have a lot of good memories from the Spirit Lake Drug days downtown with our businesses next to each other! Gerry was a wonderful lady.
Please accept our sympathy."
"Gerri and I went through grade school, high school and entered college at Iowa State together. We rode the same school bus even in high school in the days when hardly anyone could afford to have a car to drive to school. We had many overnight stays in each others home as young people. She was exactly 1 month older than me. (My birthday is March 20.) We were best friends and I will miss her terribly!"
"That day on my birthday when the Federal Express truck pulled up to the house and handed me a box, is one of the fondest memories I have of my mother-in-law Gerry. We had teased each other for years about pineapple up-side-down cake and low and behold, inside that box was a pineapple up-side-down cake, delicately packaged with tooth picks stuck in it to keep the box from crushing it, by over-night delivery! I would remind Gerry from time to time that I was her favorite son-in-law, she never mentioned the fact that I was her only son-in-law, she just politely agreed. She would keep a "Gerry Do List" for things she wanted me to work on when we would come to Iowa, so she had to keep me on her good side! I am blessed for having the opportunity to have Gerry as my mother-in-law! "
"Gerry was always there with a hug and a smile...May God hold you closer than ever during this most difficult time. Love you all Becky"