Obituary of Fred George Geiss

Fred G. Geiss died April 20, 2014 at Garden Courte Memory Care Community in Olympia, Washington. He was born June 17, 1918 to Adam and Magdalena (Schaff) Geiss, in Mandan, North Dakota. Fred was one of 12 children and was raised in the farming community of Huff, North Dakota. He married Betty Ziniel of St. Anthony, North Dakota, on August 24, 1942. Together they raised 7 children. Fred and Betty moved their growing family to Tacoma, Washington, in 1958 in search of a more prosperous future for his family and for warmer winters! Although his memory failed him almost completely in his last years, Fred could still recall his many years of shoveling snow in the cold North Dakota winters. Fred obtained employment with the Boeing Company shortly after moving to Tacoma and he worked for Boeing until his retirement in 1981. He always said that his job at Boeing was the best job he ever had. Fred was a long time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tacoma. He and Betty joined the parish when they moved to Tacoma in 1958 and Fred continued to worship there until he moved to Olympia in 2010. Fred loved music, dancing and playing his harmonica. He enjoyed following baseball, especially the Mariners and the Tacoma Rainiers. He liked to play cards and always enjoyed having a good time. His daughter remembers him trying to dance a jig while holding onto his walker in the rehab facility shortly after his hip replacement at age 90. After his retirement he liked to socialize at the Lighthouse Senior Center in Tacoma. He was one of a kind and will be missed by all his family. Fred is survived by his sister, Edith Murray, Tacoma, WA, his sons: Harvey (Patty) Geiss, Los Angeles, CA; David Geiss, Auburn, WA; Gene (Laine) Geiss, Enumclaw, WA.; Greg (Sharon) Geiss, Graham, WA; Kevin Geiss, Tacoma, WA; his daughter Kathleen (Chester) Derry, Olympia, WA. Fred is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Betty (in 2002); his son, Gordon; his infant son, Gerard; his parents, his brothers Jake, Nick, Joe, John, Lawrence, Mike and Frank; his sisters Betty Eikanger, Katherine Geiss and Veronica Geiss. Rosary 10 am and Funeral Mass at 10:30 am Friday, April 25th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4520 McKinley Ave E, Tacoma. Prayers will follow at Mt View Cemetary,