Geraldine M. Solem

Friday, August 25, 2017 6:58 pm

Geraldine M. Solem, 91, of Decorah, died Wednesday morning, Aug. 23, 2017, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Stacey Nalean – Carlson officiating. Burial was in Canoe Ridge Cemetery. Visitation began at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, one hour before the service, at Fjelstul Funeral Home. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah served the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Geraldine Mae Solem was born Jan. 4, 1926, to Gjermund and Marie (Rustad) Haugen in Springfield Township, Winneshiek County. In her early childhood the family moved from Nordness to a farm north of Decorah in Pleasant Township, where she grew up. After high school she became a legally qualified teacher. She taught in two rural schools: Pleasant No. 6 (Daubney School) for five years and Highland No. 5 (Sacquitne School) for two years. Then for many years she worked in the Decorah Schools hot lunch program. It was always a delight for her to be able to see her grandchildren come through the lunch line.

Geraldine married Curtis M. Solem Aug. 12, 1951, at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. To this union one child was born– a son, Randy. Geraldine was a lifetime member of Canoe Ridge Church, where she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, served on the church council and belonged to the Canoe Ridge Women of the ELCA and Veda Circle. She always looked forward to helping out with the annual capon supper and working at the Nordic Fest booth serving rosettes and rommegrøt.

Geraldine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She always had the time for her grandchildren and would never turn down a babysitting job. She liked to read, watch RFD TV and go out with her friends, especially the monthly gatherings of going out to eat with her high school classmates later in life. Her smile warmed the hearts of those who knew her and took care of her. Her life was simple yet full. She’ll be missed.

Geraldine is survived by her son Randy (Linda) Solem of Decorah; four grandchildren: David (Chelsea) Solem of Decorah, Sarah (Michael) Casterton of Decorah, Daniel Solem of Des Moines and Matthew (BreAnne) Solem of Minneapolis, Minn.; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marilyn Instead of Decorah and Kathryn (Kay) Bigalk of Harmony, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis, Feb. 24, 2007; her parents, Gjermund and Marie Haugen; one sister, Arlyne Seaton; and one brother, Curtis Haugen.