Geraldine Mandsager

Geraldine C. Mandsager

Geraldine Carol (Johnson) Mandsager, 87 of Hibbing, Minnesota died peacefully on January 24, 2017 at Heritage Manor in Chisholm.  Gerry was born on a farm in South Dakota on December 24, 1929 – Christmas Eve.  Her mother always said Gerry was her “ Christmas c arol ” – hence her middle name.  She grew up in Marietta, Minnesota where she met and married her husband of 58 years, Luther Mandsager.  Gerry knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a nurse so after graduating from Marietta High School she enrolled at the Kahler School of Nursing at Rochester Mayo Clinic.  There she embraced both studying and socializing.  She met a wonderful group of girls that remained close their entire lives; getting together, traveling, and attending many reunions. Gerry was a passionate and devoted nurse throughout her entire career.  She was a floor nurse at Hibbing General Hospital, a private nurse for patients needing individual ized care, and the school nurse in Hibbing for 19 years.  She started at the Jefferson Elementary School, moved on to the Lincoln Middle School and retired as head nurse from the Hibbing High School.

Geraldine and Luther were married in 1951 and moved to Hibbing.  After retirement they enjoyed life as snowbirds – living in Ft. Myers, Florida and Side Lake.  In addition to her interest in health care, Gerry enjoyed gardening, reading and connecting with her family and countless friends . She loved her grand-dogs and would eagerly watch them for her family.  Gerry sang in the choir at Our Saviors Lutheran Church for many years and was an active member of PEO.

She is survived by her children Thomas of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Mary (Cristopher) Anderson of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Charles of Side Lake, Minnesota, and three grandchildren, Dustin (Laura) Anderson, Ni kki (Chad) Anderson Naberhaus, and Alexander Mandsager, four great Grandchildren, two sisters in law Ruth Mandsager Peterson and Marlene Johnson and many nieces and nephews.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband Lute, her parents Arthur and Pearl Johnson, her sister Corrine Gudmastad Sheldahl, and her brother Curtis Johnson.

Per Geraldine ’s wishes there will be a private memorial service this summer.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to one of Gerry’s favorite charities: The Salvation Army by visiting salvationarmy.org