Geraldine Ernst

Geraldine Ramona Ernst (Brand), age 88, died peacefully on August 28, 2025, after facing the challenges of Alzheimer's for four years.

She was born on September 13, 1936, in South Ionia, Michigan, the daughter of Durward L. and Beatrice (Getts) Brand. Geraldine grew up in South Ionia and graduated from Ionia High School. She later met the love of her life, Edward J. Ernst Jr., at the roller rink in St. Johns. The two were married on August 11, 1953 and were blessed with sixty seven years together.

After Ed returned from serving in Korea, they settled in Lansing while he worked at Oldsmobile, before building their family home on Alward Road, where they raised their three children. Geraldine worked as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone, briefly in the cafeteria at Rodney B. Wilson High School, and as a dedicated Mary Kay representative, which became an important part of her life.

Creative and talented, Geraldine enjoyed painting, flower arranging, ceramics, gardening, sewing, jewelry making, beadwork, and playing the piano. She loved music, traveling, birdwatching, and spending time with her many friends. A life member of the Okemos Eastern Star and she also found great joy in exploring the world with Ed. "We're on the go!"-a perfect reflection of the life she and Ed shared as soulmates. They went and did everything together. Together they treasured trips to Hawaii, family vacations, and time spent with children, grandchildren, and later, great-grandchildren.

Geraldine is survived by her children, Glenn (Karen) Ernst, Linda (Russ) Chaney, and Lisa (Jeff) Maidlow; grandchildren, Dawn (Dan) Nelson, Brian (Rebecca) Chaney, Matthew Maidlow, Justin (Abby) Maidlow, Nathan Maidlow, Laura (Matt) Zelenka, and Sarah (Pat) Oddan; great-grandchildren, Julia Nelson, Lillian Chaney, and Elora Chaney; and her sister-in-law, Janet Chick. She was preceded in death by her mother, Beatrice, in 1974; her father, Durward, in 1985; and her beloved husband, Edward Ernst Jr., in 2020.

Geraldine's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Portland Assisted Living & Memory Center and Heart to Heart Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness shown to Geraldine these last years.

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 11 AM, at McGeehan Funeral Home, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns. Friends may visit the funeral home on Wednesday from 10AM until the time of the service. Burial to follow at Reed Cemetery on Alward Road. A luncheon will be held at the Victor Township Hall Pavilion.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Order of the Eastern Star (Okemos Chapter) or to Heart to Heart Hospice.

For further information, phone McGeehan Funeral Home at 989-224-4422.