A celebration of life was held for Geneva Rozenboom, 88, at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Peoria Christian Reformed Church preceded by burial in Peoria Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be designated for The Cottages in Pella.
Geneva Jean Dahm was born Feb. 22, 1935, to Leonard and Gertrude Dahm at home near Taintor. She was born on her parents’ first anniversary and claimed to be the best present ever! Her grandma Jennie Bandstra assisted with her birth. She was the first grandchild and was named after her grandma. Her brother Donald would follow six years later, and she was 13 when her little sister Beverly was born. Geneva lived in the farmhouse near Taintor until she was in the sixth grade at which time her family moved to Peoria. For nearly the remainder of her life, Peoria is where she called home.
She began her education at Granville School in Taintor, and she finished grade school at Peoria Christian School. Geneva graduated with the Class of 1953 at Pella Christian High School. She moved to an apartment with her best friend, Marge (Engbers) Kuiper and worked at the Overall Factory in Pella. She quickly decided this would not be a career path for her. She was accepted into Drake University Teaching Program. There she completed a six-week course and taught one year at Peoria Christian School. It was the only year she taught as the school required unmarried teachers, and she was soon to be married. Other than keeping books for the family business, she didn’t work outside the home until she was in her 60s when she decided it was time to get a job. She spent close to 10 years in Pella Hospital Laundry Department where she had such a fun time and blessed so many people in the hospital.
Geneva was baptized and married at Peoria Christian Reformed Church where she was a lifelong member. She participated in various women’s groups and was a well-beloved Sunday school teacher for many, many years.
It was also at this church that one Sunday night after Young People’s Society, a friend finally talked her into going on a date with Gerald Rozenboom. She thought maybe he was a little wild and drove too fast. It took some strong convincing to get her in the car. This led to a beautiful 65-year marriage; Gerald passed away Nov. 24, 2020.
Geneva spent most of her life as a stay-at-home wife and mother, a job which she loved. She had a beautiful gift of loving people, no matter who you were. She never judged another person, just loved them. Many a problem was talked about at her little kitchen table or back door steps with a cup of coffee in hand and always a homemade treat and laughter. Geneva loved to laugh and have a good time. She continued this gift at The Cottages in Pella where she lived until the time of her death. She loved and was loved and cared for by each person there.
Geneva was known by many names. Her most infamous, given by uncles who loved to tease her: Geneva Jean, Viola Helen, and Fred (mostly Fred) penny a forkful Dahm. She was a wife, a sister, a cousin, a favorite aunt, a wonderful friend, the best neighbor ever, and a caretaker after Gerald’s stroke. But her favorite name was mom and later grandma and grandma-great. Her grands and great-grands will tell you there was no one better than their grandma.
She lived her life with the love and grace as someone who knew she was loved by her heavenly Father. Nov. 21, 2024, He took her to her eternal home. She always wanted everyone to know and accept that love, so she would one day get to spend eternity with them.
She will be dearly missed by those she leaves behind: Her family: Wavern and Norma Rozenboom of Peoria, Dennis Rozenboom of Harvey, Kathy Rozenboom of Pella, Fred and Debra Van Ee of Pella, and Merlin and Terri Rozenboom of Centennial, CO; and several grandchildren and great-grand-children.
She also leaves behind her brother Donald Dahm and fiancée Mary Ellen McGill, her sister Beverly Hoyt, and the following in-laws: Arlene Dahm, Jean Rozenboom, Ron and Zelda Rozenboom, Ed and Mary Rozenboom, Arlene and Bill Wilder, and Irvin and Kathy Rozenboom. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and friends who loved her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and in-laws Joe and Gertrude Rozenboom; her daughter-in-law Teresa Rozenboom; and the following sister and brothers-in-law: Marie Laney Dahm, Marv Rozenboom, Don and Eunice Vos, Marilyn Rozenboom, and Shirley Rozenboom.
She will be forever loved and missed by all who knew her.
