Geneva Hammond

Geneva Hammond, age 76 of DeSoto, died Saturday, August 18, 2007 Geneva G. Hammond (De Soto) Jeannie Hammond, 76, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, August 18, 2007 at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse. She was born on June 18, 1931 in rural Crawford County, WI to Bealis and Ella (Jones) Giddings. She married Herbert Holliday in 1948 and of that marriage had four children: Norma (Dennis) Passa of Kandihoyi, MN; Terry (Valerie) Pearson of La Crosse; Carol (Skip) Werntz of Byron, IL; Kirk (Rae) Holliday of De Soto. He preceded her in death in 1964. In 1966, she married Glenn Hammond and they had one daughter Sarah (Trevor) Boardman of De Soto. Together they ran the De Soto Orchard until Glenns death in 1990. Jeannie loved to sell apples and talk to anyone who stopped by the apple stand. She lived her life for her family, friends and community. She was a member of the New Hope United Methodist Church and enjoyed their "Young At Heart" activities. Jeannie was a lifetime member of VFW Post 8123 Auxiliary and served in several offices, most recently as Chaplain. She loved the outdoors and lived to garden. Her second favorite area was her kitchen. No event was complete with out a pie, her noodles or something she canned. Until this year, she had entered and won several awards at the Crawford County Fair by exhibiting for over 50 years and shared her gifts through 4-H. She is survived by her children and 15 grandchildren; Aaron (Kelly) Passa, Ben Passa, Charles (Dodi) Passa, Jennifer Passa, Kevin Passa, Elissa Radtke, David (Janna) Dammon, Thomas (Amy) Dammon, Corey Werntz, Shannon Werntz, Ashley Werntz, Michalia Holliday, Mitchel (Stephanie) Holliday, Kaleen (Derrick) Caulkins, and Alexander Boardman; 14 great grandchildren with one on the way; five brothers: Oliver (Jane) Giddings, John (Judy) Giddings, Donald (Eula) Giddings, Bealis Giddings Jr., and Colin (Donna) Giddings; four sisters: Betty Jones, Edna Rose, Teresa (Rodney) Gardner, and Patricia Giddings; three sisters-in-law: Ruth Giddings, Mary (Elder) Dyb, and Martha Hammond; and numerous other family and friends.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Willard Giddings and a sister, Hazel Emerson. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the New Hope United Methodist Church at Red Mound. Pastor Bill Busch will officiate with burial in the Walnut Mound Cemetery at Retreat. Friends may call on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. with an auxiliary service at 6:00 p.m. a the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 320 Main (Hwy 82) in DeSoto. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of DeSoto is serving the family.