Anita Geske

Anita "Charlie" Geske, age 63, of Raymond, died Friday morning, August 10, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, August 16, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 15, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar with a 7 p.m. Daughters of Isabella Rosary Service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Anita Jean "Charlie" Geske was born July 31, 1955, in Wheaton, Minnesota, the daughter of Oscar and Dorothy (Krueger) Rende. She grew up and received her education in Wheaton, graduating from Wheaton High School in 1973. On June 15, 1974, Anita married Ronald Geske in Wheaton and they made their home in the Willmar area. Anita worked at Frieda's Café before staying home to raise their three children, Rebecca, Michel, and Jon. In 1995, she obtained her AA degree in photography from the Willmar Vo-Tech College and began working as a freelance photographer. Anita loved dogs and ran the Kandiyohi County 4-H Dog Program for 40 years and showed many dogs in American Kennel Club dog shows. She was also a member of the Church of St. Mary, where she was involved as a Sunday School teacher and with the quilters and the Daughters of Isabella. She dearly loved her family and cherished spending time with them.

She is survived by her husband: Ron of Raymond; three children: Rebecca Carlson, Michel (and Bethany) Geske of Baxter, and Jon Geske of Raymond; her six grandchildren: Amber, Laney (and Chayce), Stephany, Eathan, Aric, and Raymond; two brothers: Keith (and Julie) Rende of Willmar and Kevin Rende of Texas; three sisters: Karen (and Bob) Vangstad of Osakis, Kathy (and Greg) Guetter of Wabasso, and Zinda Rende of Wheaton; numerous nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother: Dennis Rende.