Kleo Gecsey

Kleo Dorothy Gecsey, 88, of Eldridge, passed away Sunday, May 28, at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus, Davenport.  Visitation will be Wednesday, May 31, from 4-7 p.m., at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge.  Funeral services will be Thursday, June 1, 11 a.m., at the church, with a luncheon immediately following.  Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements.

Kleo was born August 5, 1928, in Moline, Illinois, to Demetrios and Dorothy Genes.  She graduated from Rock Island High School in 1946.  On October 7, 1950, she married the love of her life, William Gecsey, and that union was blessed with four children, who she considered to be her greatest accomplishments.  Kleo worked for several years in the banking industry, and then spent many years in the insurance business.  She also took classes at St. Ambrose College when her busy life would allow.

Second to her love of family was her love of music.  She taught private piano lessons for many years and accompanied students from various schools at their instrumental solo festivals.  She was a member of the American Guild of Organists and, over her musical career, played for nearly 1000 weddings and funerals.  Kleo was also the organist and choir accompanist at Faith Lutheran Church for nearly 50 years.  She will be sorely missed in these capacities.

An avid reader, Kleo was a routine visitor to the Eldridge Library.  She felt strongly about doing volunteer work, and two of the organizations that benefitted from her time and talents are CASI and Grand Haven Retirement Community.  Because she also liked to crochet, she was committed to helping out Project Linus, and completed over 800 fleece and crocheted blankets for that organization.  In addition, she gave much time to her church, serving on various committees through the years.

Kleo’s kindness and generosity will be remembered by everyone she came in contact with, whether through her insurance or musical careers, or through her volunteer work.  She will be deeply missed not only by her family, her special friend, Mr. Blair Reiling, and her lifelong best friend, Mrs. Bobbie Rokis, but by everyone who had the good fortune to cross paths with her.

Kleo is survived by her four children:  Patricia Osgerby (Randal deceased), Grapevine, TX, Susan Becker (Neal), Davenport, Mark Gecsey (Sharon), Elmhurst, IL, and William Gecsey (Maureen), Elmhurst, IL; five grandchildren:  Julianna, Clarissa, Ava, Galvin, and Liam, all of Elmhurst, IL; and one brother, James Genes (JoAnn), Waggaman, Louisiana.  She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, Eldridge, IA.