Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Obituary for Dr. Geiser

A beloved doctor well-known to most every Boomer to graduate from Jefferson High School was put to rest today.

Peter Michael Geiser was born on March 16, 1920 in New England, ND, the son of Peter and Barbara (Bernauer) Geiser.
Peter graduated valedictorian in May of 1938 from St. Mary’s High School in New England, ND. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1943 with a bachelor of arts and bachelor of science in medicine. He received his M.D. degree from Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest College in Winston Salem, NC in 1944.
Peter served his internship and residency at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis, where he met Dorothy E. Reichel. They were united in marriage on April 13, 1946. Peter was enlisted in the United States Army from 1943 to 1947 as a captain in the Medical Corps. In 1948 Peter and Dorothy moved to Alexandria, where Peter began working at the Alexandria Clinic.
He retired in 1985 after delivering thousands of babies in his 37 years at the Alexandria Clinic.
Peter was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved his family and the time he spent with them at his lake home on Lake L’Homme Dieu. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf. He made numerous trips to Canada with his fishing buddies and started wood-crafting after his retirement.
Throughout his life Peter belonged to a number of different organizations, including the Minnesota Medical Association, American Academy of Family Practice, American Medical Association, Knights of Columbus, Elks, American Legion and the Alexandria Golf Club.
He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Dr. Peter M. Geiser died on Friday, February 6, 2009 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria at the age of 88 years.
He is survived by his son, Michael and Lynda Geiser of Cottage Grove; daughter, Elizabeth and Daniel Rust of Crookston; grandchildren, Geoffrey and Jenni Geiser of Woodbury, Lisa and Jeff Godwin of Elbow Lake, Jason Rust of Eden Prairie, Matthew Rust of St. Paul, Jessica and Jason Menge of Edina; great-grandchildren, Greta and Lydia Geiser of Woodbury, Madeline and Aidan Godwin of Elbow Lake; sister, Dorothy Koffler of Searcy, AK; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Geiser of Taft, CA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy; brothers, Joseph, John, and Adie; and sister Helen.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Steve Binsfeld officiating. Entombment was in the St. Mary’s Catholic Mausoleum in Alexandria.
Casket bearers were Geoffrey Geiser, Jason Rust, Matthew Rust, Jeff Godwin, Jason Menge, Rick Holt and Kirby Holt.
Honorary casket bearers were Lisa Godwin, Jessica Menge, Dr. William Heegaard, Don Krueger, Roger Perry and Chris McCabe.
Memorials are preferred to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association.
(Obit from Echo-Press)