Evelyn J. Geu

Evelyn J. Geu, age 96, of Sidney, NE passed away in Sidney on Friday, September 16, 2022.

Funeral services will be on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sidney, NE with Pastor Ted Bourret officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney, NE. Services will be recorded and available on our website for viewing.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Thursday from 1-6:00 P.M. and leave condolences for the family.

Memorial contributions may be made in Evelyn‘s name to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,  Sidney, Nebraska; Cheyenne County Historical Society, or the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society at Chadron State College.

You may view Evelyn’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Evelyn’s care and funeral arrangements.

Evelyn June Cartwright Geu, the daughter of Percy and Ellen (Dodd) Cartwright, was born on June 2, 1926 in Crawford, Dawes County, Nebraska.  She attended elementary school in Whitney, Nebraska, graduating from Crawford High School in 1944.  Evelyn received her teaching certificate from Chadron State College. Her first teaching job was at North Ward elementary school in Sidney, Nebraska.

On December 20, 1948 Evelyn was united in marriage to Earl Geu at the United Methodist Church in Whitney, Nebraska.  They farmed and ranched north of Colton for 66 years until Earl‘s death in 2015.

Evelyn was a wonderful homemaker, mother and seamstress who made beautiful clothing for herself and her daughters. She delighted in making delicious meals for her family, hired men and custom harvesters.  Her specialties included: angel food cake, rhubarb pie, and cinnamon rolls. She pursued her passion for music by singing at many weddings and funerals, directing Saint Paul’s Lutheran Choir, and teaching piano to her children.

In 1969, Evelyn returned to the classroom, teaching elementary grades at District 97 and Lorenzo Public School until her retirement 20 years later.  She especially enjoyed teaching Nebraska history, music, and directing the annual Christmas programs.  While teaching, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree from Chadron State College.

Throughout her life, Evelyn was active in community service. She was a 60-year member of the Cheyenne County Clever Circle Extension Club, a 4-H club leader, and a longtime member of the LWML.  After retirement she actively contributed to the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and the Cheyenne County Historical Society as a board member.

One of “Oma’s” greatest joys was spending time with her cherished grands and greats. She provided them with unconditional love and a lifetime of wonderful memories.

Survivors include three children Pamela Lay of Hastings, Nebraska,  Jan Thelen of Lincoln,  Nebraska and Tom Geu and wife Carol of Vermillion, South Dakota;  five grandchildren: Cody Lay and wife Elizabeth, Andrew Thelen and wife Becca, Joanie (Thelen) Huebner and husband Jack, Rikki (Lay) Frey and husband James and Taylor Geu ; four great-grandchildren: Gavin Lay and Isabel Lay, Xavier Martin, and Ezra Thelen; sister Nancy Hamer and husband Richard; sister-in-law Rosemarie Geu; sister-in-law Jeanetta DruekeCartwright; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Earl; her parents Percy and Ellen Cartwright; brothers Michael and John Cartwright; and brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws Henry and Ann Geu, Arlene and Rodney Mathewson and Harold Geu.

Evelyn resided in Sidney following the death of Earl, spending those years at Sloan Estates and later Sidney Regional Medical Center Extended Care. We thank you all for creating a sense of community for her and making her feel welcome. She deeply appreciated the care and compassion you provided.