Bernita Ann Geiman

Bernita Ann (Marx) Geiman, age 93, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Scotland, South Dakota.

Memorial services for Bernita Ann (Marx) Geiman will be held at Scotland Community Church, 350 Williams Street, Scotland, SD on Saturday, May 11th at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Andy Bueber will officiate. The family will gather one hour prior to the service. The committal service will be held at Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, immediately following the memorial service. Pastor Kori Geiman Lehrkamp will officiate. A time of fellowship will follow at the church, following committal.

Bernita Ann Marx was born on March 7, 1931 in DeSmet, SD to Herbert and Alvina (Dierks) Marx, the third of four siblings. She attended school and graduated from DeSmet High School in 1949. While in high school, Bernita, along with her sister Verlyn, worked at Grandma Gordon’s Café in DeSmet, and she had many good memories of those early working years. At an early age, growing up in lean and humble circumstances, Bernita learned the value and honor of a solid work ethic, which carried throughout her entire life. 

Bernita married Donald Geiman on August 16, 1950 in Pipestone, MN. To this union 6 sons were born: Dan (Marlene) Geiman of Plankinton, SD; Rev. Gary Geiman (Rev. Dr. Jan Witman) of Claremont, CA; Robert Geiman of Canton, SD; Greg (Kathleen) Geiman of Scotland, SD; John (LuAnn) Geiman of Scotland, SD; and Dennis Geiman of Scotland, SD.

In her early married life, Bernita was a homemaker and farm wife, taking care of her young family, and doing much of the everyday farm work while her husband worked off-farm jobs to help make ends meet. Bernita raised and processed thousands of quality frying chickens for local customers during these early married years. Bernita was an avid gardener, a terrific cook, and an expert homemade candy maker. Her Snickers bars were the best! She also loved a good card game, especially double-pinochle. Bernita was a fierce competitor, often playing cards into the wee hours of the morning.

Bernita was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Iroquois, SD.  After her husband, Don, accepted a call to the ministry in the United Methodist Church, she assumed the role of pastor’s wife, teaching Sunday school, singing in the church choir, and helping in other ways. Together, they served churches in Artesian/Roswell/Farwell, SD; Mount Vernon, SD; Hollowayville/Cherry, IL; McLaughlin/Mobridge, SD; Scotland/Tripp, SD; Selby/Lowry, SD; and Conde/Andover, SD.  After their active ministry, Don and Bernita spent their retirement years in Scotland, SD. Bernita also worked a variety of jobs over her married life, outside the home, including cutting chislic for Kepps Foods in Scotland, SD from age 80 to 90 because she didn’t want to sit around and do nothing. She also owned and operated the Mustang Corral Café in Mount Vernon, SD from 1968 to 1972.

Bernita is survived by her six sons, 17 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bernita was preceded in death by her husband, grandparents, parents, one brother, Kenneth, and two sisters, Darlene and Verlyn.

Memorials in her memory may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 207 W 11^th Street, Yankton, SD  57078.