Ann Urup van der Geest

RAPID CITY - Ann Urup van der Geest, 82, Rapid City, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010, at her home. She was born March 26, 1928, to Johannes and Mathilda Kristensen on a farm in Denmark. She grew up in the Danish countryside and was educated there. She married Thomas Urup and to their union was born their beloved only child, a daughter, Ellie. They immigrated to the U.S. in 1950 and settled in Vermillion. She took great pleasure in raising her daughter as a loving mother. She helped her husband in their many business ventures in Vermillion. She enjoyed getting together with many friends and family for card games and parties. She hosted many wonderful family get-togethers in their beautiful home. After their retirement they enjoyed traveling by motorhome to see much of the U.S. She especially enjoyed making meals for her three grandchildren as they each attended school at USD. Her Danish soup and cinnamon rolls were a favorite among her grandchildren. After her husband Thomas' death she moved to Rapid City to be close to her family. Here she settled in well and made many new friends, often over a game of bridge. She volunteered at the RCRH gift shop and Stav Kirke. She married Jack van der Geest in 2002. They had much in common and a similar history of growing up in Europe during the war. The two enjoyed many trips together for pleasure, her favorite being their trip to Hawaii. They also traveled to share the story of his Holocaust survival and his book, "Was God on Vacation." She was a generous and gracious daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She took great pleasure in attending church after coming to faith in Christ. She relished spending time with family and friends, reading, playing cards, traveling, and having a good dessert. She is survived by her daughter, Ellie Tomlinson and her husband Dale; grandchildren, Michele Ladenburger, her husband, Chris, Clint Tomlinson, his wife, Kristen, and Lisa Porch, and her husband, Joel. Anna also is survived by eight great-grandchildren, Matthew, Justin, and Lucas Ladenburger, Allie, Cade and Ryan Porch, and Morgan and Cole Tomlinson; a stepson, Van van der Geest; one brother, Jes Kristensen; a brother-in-law, Jorgen Urup; and special friends, Sam and Jennifer Kookier and Duva Garlow. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; her husband, Thomas Urup; her husband Jack van der Geest; and her great-grandson, Zachary Ladenburger. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time, which will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, at Calvary Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dwight Stensgaard, the Rev. Barbara Gammeter and the Rev. Dan Gammeter officiating. Interment will be at Pine Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials have been established for Calvary Lutheran Church and the Greatest Commandment Church. Arrangements are with Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Her online guestbook is available at www.osheimschmidt.com.