Geraldine Rachel Root

Geraldine Rachel Root, 91, Rapid City, died Monday Dec 17, 2012 at her home. She was born Nov 5, 1921 in Gregory, SD to William and Elsie (Eucker) Kortan. Geraldine left Gregory in 1937 and moved to Omaha, NE and then in 1942 she moved to Rapid City. In 1955, she joined Rapid City National Bank, which later merged with the First Banking System and became the National Bank of South Dakota. They changed their name to First Bank of South Dakota. Geraldine retired on Dec 31, 1982 after 27 years as a statement clerk in the bookkeeping department. On Oct 20, 1972, Geraldine married Charles L Root. Geraldine and Charles were members of Faith Lutheran Church. She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary and a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Geraldine is survived by her step-children, Mary (Gerald) Beckman, Black Hawk and John Root, Box Elder; 10 grandchildren, Renee Mayes, Bobby Beckman, Heather Jolley, Reanna Root, JC Root, Amanda Root, Lenna Root, Jamie Schultz, Thomas Martin and Darlena Burns; 27 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her first husband Leslie Price in 1968; her son in 1958; her parents; 1 brother Harlan Kortan; her niece Lana Marie Kortan and 2 great nieces, Stephanie and Lisa Ann Jurrey.