Geradline Pitkin

Geraldine “Jeri” Pitkin, 96, of Clear Lake, died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Tom Gerdts officiating.  Burial was at Clear Lake Cemetery, in Clear Lake.

Jeri was born April 4, 1922, the daughter of Henry and Emily (Heerkes) Smidt, in Britt.  She married Ivan Pitkin in 1943, in Mason City.  He preceded her in death on June 28, 2005.

Jeri grew up in Britt and graduated from Britt High School.  She and Ivan farmed for more than 33 years north of Clear Lake before moving into town.

Jeri was a member of Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church.  She enjoyed being outside, flowers, cleaning and baking.  She liked reading her Bible, completing word searches and crossword puzzles, and riding with Ivan on some of his bus routes.

Jeri is survived by three children, Claryce Conroy, of Clear Lake, Gary (Coleen) Pitkin, of South Sioux City, Neb., and Charlene Orozco, of Clear Lake; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; 13 siblings; a son-in-law, Jim Conroy; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and a great-great grandchild.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.