Evelyn Geithman

Evelyn C. "Tulla" Geithman, age 82, of Parkers Prairie, died Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, following a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 9, 2011, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Rev. Jonathan Sorum officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Julie Lindgren and vocalist, Dedra Zwieg. Burial will take place at Elmo Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday at the Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie and continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Evelyn Clarice "Tulla" Geithman was born March 9, 1929, to Gustav Nels and Clara Amanda (Lien) Hanson in Parkers Prairie. She was baptized and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. She graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1947. She attended nurse's training at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, where she graduated September of 1950. She was united in marriage to Thomas Geithman February 23, 1951, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie. Following their marriage they made their home in Minneapolis where Tulla worked as a R.N., at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital and several nursing homes. She also worked at J.C. Penney and because of her love for infants, provided daycare in her home. She and her husband raised their three children in Spring Lake Park. They eventually relocated to Elk River where they lived for many years. Her husband, Tom died in 1999. Tulla lived in Coon Rapids before returning to Parkers Prairie in 2007, where she lived until the time of her death. She was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie and ladies circle. She was a former member of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Moundsview and Central Lutheran Church in Elk River. She was very active in the church, helping with funeral lunches, greeting and teaching Sunday School. She also delivered meals on wheels and mentored young adults with reading problems. Her hobbies included working in her flower beds, ceramics, and writing children's stories and poetry. Music was her life, she especially enjoyed writing music and playing her keyboard. Tulla was an avid sports fan, cheering on the Parkers Prairie volleyball and basketball teams. She also enjoyed attending the high school musical concerts and bleacher dancing to the pep band.

Tulla is survived by her three wonderful children, John (Gwen) Geithman of Princeton, Mike (Sherry) Geithman, Sr. of Alexandria and Julie (Lon) Saude of Parkers Prairie; two sisters, Hazel Holt of Alexandria and Vera Jensen of Coon Rapids; eight grandchildren, Alex, Abby, Jon, Stephanie, Mike, Jr., Jenny, Brandon and Danielle; two great-grandchildren, Jaden and Alayna; along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom; brother, Gordy Hanson; and sister, Millie Kyne Hanson.

Pallbearers will be Kirby Holt, Rick Holt, Alex Geithman, Brandon Saude, Jon Geithman and Mike Geithman, Jr.

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