Geraldine Brezina

Geraldine was born Friday, February 26, 1932 to Emmanuel and Elizabeth (Schumacher) Schaefer at their rural Tripp farm. She graduated from Tripp High School in 1950. Following graduation she earned a teaching certificate at Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield. She then taught for one year at Gramm School District #66, southwest of Tripp, where she had also been a grade school student.
Geraldine married Emil W. Brezina, February 12, 1952 in Scotland, SD. It was at their rural Tripp farm where they made a good life for themselves raising five children. Geraldine was a hard-working farm wife and a gentle mother. She raised poultry, as a result of her love of geese, ducks, chickens and turkeys. She also tended the milk cows. As a typical farm woman she prepared hearty meals for family and farm hands. Cinnamon rolls were her specialty, always mixed up in her special yellow bowl. In her advancing age she continued to challenge herself to word search puzzle books.
Geraldine Mae Brezina, age 88, of Tripp, South Dakota died Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston. She had been a resident of Bormann Manor in Parkston since her last birthday February 26 of this year.
Geraldine is survived by her children Barbara (Russel) Ireland of Scotland, SD, Mary (LeRoy) Jerke of Scotland, SD, Michael Brezina of Tripp, SD and Linda Brezina of Tripp, SD; grandchildren Robert Jerke, Anne (Brent) Thiewes, Matthew (Amanda) Ireland and Jonathan (Jordan) Ireland; great grandchildren Sophia, Ava, Aden, Emerald, Archie, Adeline, Baker, Brooks and Mariana.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, her husband Emil, sister Frances and son James.