Genevieve Pappe died on March 10, 2018, in Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, Ore.
She was born into a farming family near Dayton, Ore., on April 2, 1921, the second child in the family of Joseph and Jessie Muhs. She had three sisters and one brother.
She attended school in Dayton, but while in high school, her father died leaving her mother and five young children and a farm to run. The crash of 1929 had spun the country and the world into the "Great Depression"; the bank took the farm and Genevieve's mother moved her family to Portland and operated a boarding house.
Because of the move, Genevieve finished her high school senior year and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Portland. She enrolled in Marylhurst Normal School (later Marylhurst University.) She worked in the Portland Shipyard to put herself through school.
World War II was underway and there was a scarcity of men so women stepped up, took the jobs and built the ships that transported men and material to the war in the Pacific.
Genevieve received her teaching certificate in 1943. She took a job in Vale, Ore., and taught fifth and sixth grade students. While teaching in Vale, she met and married her husband George.
Genevieve and George had seven children together. The family moved from Vale to Toledo on the Oregon Coast. In 1954, they move to Tulelake and a year later moved across the stateline to Malin. Sixty-three years later, she was still living at the same Malin address at the time of her death.
Genevieve continued her teaching career with the Klamath County School District, teaching in the elementary schools of Malin and Merrill until retirement in 1984.
She was a 63-year member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Merrill, Ore. She taught CCD and was a member of the Women's Club and the Catholic Daughters.
She is survived by six of her seven children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her husband George died in 1983. Genevieve remained a widow until her death.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 16 and Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, both in St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Merrill. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Augustine's CCD program or the Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery Association. O'Hair-Wards Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Gen Pappe - one of the finest people one could ever meet - a wonderful mother, wife, friend,community member. One of the "examples" we tried to follow in raising our own family. She was a wonderful asset to all who knew her and called her "friend".
Marjorie Conroy
March 18, 2018
I recently became Gen's neighbor across the street. I have known known her thru St. Augustine's parish for about 14 yrs. along with her son Patrick. She was always a kind, loving, & caring woman. I will miss going to her house to share my pictures. She has a beautiful family. I have met numerous members this week. I wand to express my condolences to all the family. May God bless all of you with the strength & courage that all of you may need to cope with the challenges due to loosing a loved one who has lived such a long life. I will miss you Gen but I know you are in a better place with God. RIP Gen. Love all your family. Your neighbor, Olive
Olive August
March 17, 2018
Gen, you lived a good long life, may you rest in peace. love Jerry Pappe
March 15, 2018
Krista Holland and family, I extend my sympathies to you in your loss. I didn't know Genevieve, but I know how much you loved her, Krista.
Connie Coleman
March 14, 2018
Your wonderful mom mentored me back in the late 60's when I worked as her reading aide in the migrant program. She was my go to person after I began my teaching career in Merril and Malin.I had such respect and affection for her and admired the gentle way she worked with her reading students. She was always there for advise even after I became a special ed teacher. Thank you, Gen. Love, Sharon
sharon mcvay
March 14, 2018
Your mom was such a wonderful friend to my mom. They shared the good times and helped each other thru the tough times. My thoughts are with all of you. My deepest sympathy and prayers.
Maureen Maag
March 13, 2018
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