Connie Fay (Green) Geiken, 76 years, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 2, 2019, while hospitalized at Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Connie was born on Christmas Eve, 1942, at Sioux Valley Hospital, the fifth of Earl and Ethyl (Board) Green’s six children. She attended elementary school at South Sioux, Edison Junior High and graduated from Washington High School in 1961. Growing up, Connie’s first job was the Argus Leader paper route passed down from her older brothers. Connie and younger brother, Rod, did the route together for a number of years. After graduating from high school, Connie worked at Sioux Valley Bank, first in Yankton and then in Sioux Falls. She was a bookkeeper at the Ellis Elevator and a longtime employee of Montgomery Ward in Sioux Falls. Connie delivered the Shopping News for a number of years and finished her working days at Casey’s in Lennox, S.D. She found great satisfaction helping customers and making friends at each of her places of employment.
Connie loved to roller skate and met her future husband, Leroy Geiken, at the Wall Lake Roller Rink. They were “the sweethearts” of the rink where they found great enjoyment roller skate dancing together. They were married January 8, 1965, at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Connie and Lee welcomed son, Matthew Harold, into their family in 1974 and daughter, Elisa Fay, in 1979. Connie’s greatest joy was being a wife, mother and grandmother.
Connie taught herself to play the organ on her great, great grandmother’s organ, filling her home with beautiful music for many years. She turned her love of home decorating into a business with her Home Interiors affiliation.
Connie enjoyed attending her children’s activities as they were growing up and then her grandchildren’s activities; Alexis’ soccer games and Austin’s hockey games. While Matthew and Elisa were growing up, they traveled to a variety of destinations, many times taking Connie’s parents with them. Connie valued the experience of seeing new things while traveling, making sure to stop and enjoy the moment. Connie faithfully visited and cared for special aunts, Evelyn (Green) Myrin and Doris (Green) Bondurant, taking many trips to see them. She lovingly cared for her parents and Leroy’s parents, making sure they saw their grandchildren frequently. Connie had a very generous spirit, making sure children close to she and Leroy always had presents to open Christmas morning.
Connie is survived by her beloved husband, Leroy Geiken, son Matthew, daughter Elisa (Rich) Albertus and their children, Alexis and Austin. Connie is also survived by brothers Gary (Janet) Green, Ron (Christy) Green, Bob Green, Rod Green, brother-in-law, Lendall (Marlene) Geiken and many nieces and nephews. Connie’s friends, Barb and Myrna, who she considered “sisters”, also survive.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Ethyl Green, parents-in-law Harry and Ella Geiken, sister Hazel Warner, brother-in law Dick Warner, sisters-in law Helen Green, Audrey Green, Anita Green and nieces Julie (Warner) Dravland and Lynn (Warner) Chambers.
Connie's funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2019 at Heritage Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with the family present at the funeral home.
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