Geraldine D. Kilps

LODI – Geraldine D. Kilps, age 88, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday March 3, 2016 at Meriter Hospital in Madison, WI.

She was born Oct. 18, 1927 in Rapid City, SD, to the late Cornelus “Casey” and Dolores (Jobe) DeKramer. As a child, Geraldine lived in several small towns in South Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. She moved to Madison in 1946 to work for the telephone company. She married Reginald Kilps on March 7, 1957 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, IA. Reggie and Gerry enjoyed living on Madison’s west side.

Geraldine worked as a Nursery school teacher and as a sales associate at the Ethel Woods Lingerie Shop, Manchester’s, Gimbels and Marshall Fields.

Geraldine truly loved the fun and fellowship provided by her memberships in many Masonic affiliated organizations. She was a proud Past Matron and long-time Secretary of Monona Chapter #5, Order of the Eastern Star and received her 50-year membership pin from Melody Chapter in Middleton, WI. She was also a member of the Order of Amaranth, Daughters of the Nile, White Shrine, and True Kindred. Geraldine was a dedicated board member and Mother Advisor of Madison Assembly #5, Order of Rainbow for Girls, and also served as State Mother Advisor.

Geraldine is lovingly survived by her daughter Tamara (Roger) Otterstein of Lodi, WI; step-son David (Christine) Kilps of Verona, WI and their children, Laura (Tim) Meade, and Rev. Andrew (Karen) Kilps, of Hope, IN and Thomas Kilps of Dallas, TX; 6 great-grandchildren; her youngest sister Judy Tuff of Naples, FL.; brother-in-law George (Irene) Michel; and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Reginald Kilps, brother Arvid DeKramer, 4 sisters Maxine Martineau, Dorothy Sipe, JoAnn Michel, and Delores “Babe” Downey.

A memorial service and Eastern Star ceremony will be held at 1:30 pm on Wed. March 9, 2016 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:30 am until the time of the service on Wed. at the funeral home. Light refreshments will follow the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Eastern Star Charities, or Wisconsin Public Television in support of Saturday evening programming.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434