GENEVIEVE KOZEL

Funeral services for Genevieve F. Kozel , 96, of Avon, are 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 18, at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. Burial is in the Trinity Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation is Friday at the church with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon is in charge of arrangements.

Genevieve F. Kozel daughter of Christ and Rosella (Fischer) Wittmeier was born a farm near Avon, on January 6, 1922. She died on Friday August 10, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. Genevieve had attained the age of 96 years, seven months and four days.

Genevieve was baptized in the German Presbyterian Church, Avon, on August 8, 1922. She was member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church for 92 years. Genevieve was the third oldest of a family of eleven children. She attended the rural Mawhinney Country School through the eighth grade.

Genevieve started her career working hard on the Wittmeier family farm. On the weekends she worked in Gelfand’s Store in Avon.

Genevieve married Eugene J. Kozel on September 6, 1942 at Dante. They were married for 69 years. Genevieve and Eugene farmed in rural Dante for 56 years. Genevieve was the ultimate farm wife. She worked side by side with Eugene doing field work, chores and even stacking hay. She was not afraid of hard, physical work. She could put in a long day in the field, do the chores and still have supper ready and then still find more work for others.

Genevieve loved the farm and took pride in raising her chickens, ducks and other farm chores. She was sometimes referred to as the egg lady.

Genevieve was born and lived in Avon area her entire life. Due to her longevity she knew everything about Avon and the rural areas. She could tell you where and who lived there or what transpired over the years.

Genevieve and Eugene retired to Avon, in November 1998. She continued to help on the family farm as she could.

Genevieve was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Arthur Wissman Post Unit 150.

Prior to her passing she was a resident at the Springfield Assisted Living Center, Springfield. There, she enjoyed doing activities such as coloring, painting and playing bingo.

Genevieve saw many changes over her life time. She lived through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl years. She told of always watching the clouds during the Dust Bowl. When black clouds would come they would run and gather the chickens and bring them in to protect them from the dust and wind. She remembered these as “a lot of tough years.”

Genevieve will be remembered for the love for her family, her unending will-power, toughness and endurance. Her wit and get-up and go. She was a hard worker. Genevieve was avid Minnesota Twins Fan. Watching all their games and scolding the players when they did not do good in her eye.

Thankful for sharing her life are her sons Larry (Sharon) Kozel of Avon and Douglas (Colleen) Kozel of Pierre; grandchildren: Julie (Mark) Freier, Pickstown, Steve (Beth) Kozel, Spearfish, Lane Kozel, Ankeny, IA, and Lindsey Kozel (Tony Smedsrud), Hill City; and great grandchildren Zach and Megan Kozel and Abby and Simon Freier. She is also survived by her siblings: Kalma Koening, DeSoto, TX, Clayton (Minnie) Wittmeier, Avon, Gudrun Schoenrogge, Saint Francis, KS, and Sheila (Norman) Idlewine, Westport IN.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her beloved son Robert, husband Eugene; parents Christ and Rosella Wittmeier; parents-in-law Joseph and Mary Kozel; and siblings: LuVerne, Eileen, Lorine, John, Russell and Eugene; as well as several in laws and numerous friends and relatives.