Nellie Doerr

Nellie Doerr,March 3, 2005 Nellie Doerr, age 95 of Janesville and formerly of Viroqua, died Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the home of her niece in Janesville. She was born on March 29, 1909 in Viroqua to Roy B. and Fannie R. (Tainter) Geddes, Sr. She grew up on the family farm near Liberty Pole. She always helped on the farm. Her mother died when she was 13, leaving her father to raise the five children. From the many stories she told, she and her sister, Iola enjoyed many escapades and were sometimes a challenge to their father and older sister, Ilda. What one couldnt think of the other one did. She and Iola loved to dance and would attend dances whenever they could. Dancing remained a love throughout her life. She often said she would rather dance than eat. In her late teens and 20s at various times she worked at garment factories in Minneapolis, MN and LaCrosse, WI. She then came back to the family farm and helped, plus she worked at the Viroqua Leaf Tobacco Warehouse for many years. After the Warehouse, she proceeded to work at Claytons Shoe Store for 16 years, and following that, at Pries Dress Shop until her retirement. She married Waldo Doerr in 1947 after many years of going together. Even after her marriage, she would still help on the family farm if needed. On May 22, 1952 her husband, Waldo died. In 1957, her brother, Roy, Jr. died. After Roys death, she helped her sister-in-law, Dorothy with raising her children: Stephen and Vicki. In 1960, her father, Roy, Sr., moved in with her and lived with her until his death in 1970. Nellie moved to Janesville, WI in 1991 to be closer to her niece, Vicki Geddes Bouziane and her family. She was a great help to their family and will be greatly missed. Nellie loved family. She had two step-daughters and was a second mother to her nieces and nephews. She was always there if someone needed help. She had a great sense of fun and enjoyment of life. Nellie had a great love of nature and the woods, and used to plan spring wildflower picking trips every year. In the woods she had a great sense of direction and would never get lost but on a highway or urban setting she was always going the wrong direction! Waldo at one time even had a compass installed in their car. She said it avoided a lot of arguments. She was a great cook and baker. Her homemade noodles and fried chicken are legendary; as are her apple cake and pumpkin cookies, to just name a few. She was a wonderful, loving aunt to all her nieces and nephews, a wonderful friend, and she made the world a better place. She is now free from the pain that plagued her these last years and is dancing to her hearts content. She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Vicki (Tom) Bouziane of Janesville, Stephen (Lynn) Geddes of Cincinnati, OH, Naomi Fanta and Carol (Lowell) Hubbard, both of Viroqua, Iva (Duane) Marshall of Wisconsin Dells, Mary Hughes of Janesville, David (Darlene) Larson of Janesville, and Gwen (Loren) Lawson of Missouri; step-daughter, Dorothy; and many other great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Roy B. Geddes, Jr; three sisters: Ruth Niles, Iola Larson, and Ilda Zitzner; her sister-in-law, Dorothy Geddes Bishop; and one step-daughter, Ruth. Funeral service: Tues., March 8, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. at Liberty Pole United Methodist Church with Pastor Ki Sung Kim officiating. Musicians: Joyce Funk, Larry, Judy & Jennie Fanta. Casketbearers: Larry Fanta, Thomas Bouziane, Stephan Geddes, David Hubbard, Kevin Johnson, David Larson & Duane Marshall.