Charlene "Char" Kay Geiger

Charlene “Char” Kay Geiger (Weaver) was born on July 29, 1946 in Mason City, Iowa to Jeanne and John Weaver. Char graduated from Burlington Community High School in Burlington, Iowa and she was particularly proud of her public speaking award. After graduating from high school, she worked various jobs until she found her passion for nursing. Char received her LPN from Marshalltown Community College in 1993 and started her nursing career at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. She accepted a position at the VA Medical Center in Lincoln in 1994 and her love for taking care of others flourished. In 1997, Char transferred to the VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas where she worked until her retirement in 2012. She loved caring for “her veterans” and loved making them feel special, which was facilitated by her love of conversation. Char could befriend anyone and was always there to make someone smile.

Char’s greatest love and proudest achievement was her family, including her three daughters Tammy, Julie, and Teresa, with her first husband Doug Raetz, her 16 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. She enjoyed visits from her extensive family and hearing about achievements and great stories. She was everyone’s cheerleader and could always be counted on to listen intently, talk lovingly, and guide gently. Later in life, Char met her current husband, Jim Geiger. They were married for 17 years and enjoyed two international cruises and other activities along with doting on their cat Rocky. Rocky loved sitting on Char’s lap until her legs were numb.

Char endured a long series of health challenges with strength and courage, fueled by her devotion to God and she never gave up. We wanted to keep her, protect her, like she always did for us. But we couldn’t. She’s not hurting anymore, her cancer is gone, and she’s reunited with all her loved ones. Her life is a testament of perseverance and faith, surrounded by loved ones and friends. She will be missed, but we are happy that she is now in heaven with her Lord and savior.

Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am, Friday, August 29, 2025, at Calvary United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions to honor Char’s life may be made to: Batten Disease Support & Research Association (BDSRA) in honor of granddaughter Olivia (P.O. Box 30049, Gahanna, OH 43230; bdsrafoundation.org); or Down Syndrome Society of Wichita in honor of grandson Eli (734 S. Washington, Wichita, KS 67211; dsswichita.org).

Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.