Vincent T. Geraets, 86, of Estelline, died on Friday, October 4, 2013 at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am, Friday, October 11, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dell Rapids, SD. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a Liturgical Wake Service beginning at 6:00pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dell Rapids, SD. Burial will be held on October, 15, 2013 at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.
Vincent T. Geraets was born on March 18, 1927 in Dell Rapids, SD, the son of John and Rose (Rickerl) Geraets. Vincent grew up on the family farm near Dell Rapids, SD. He attended country school and St. Mary’s School in Dell Rapids. After completing his education, he entered the United States Marines and served from 1945 until his discharge in 1946. Following his military involvement, he worked for several area farmers. He was later employed by a dry cleaning business in Dell Rapids.
Vince was united in marriage to MaryLu Schwartz on June 25, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. They moved to Mobridge, SD where he continued in the dry cleaning business for 15 years. He purchased a liquor store and operated it for the next four years. He then started his own carpet and upholstery cleaning business, which he operated until retirement. They made their home in Mobridge for 50 years. In May of 2005, they moved to Brookings, SD and resided at Brookhaven Estates independent living center until moving to the Estelline Nursing Care Center in 2012.
He was proud to be a veteran and serve for the United States of America Marine Corps. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, where he was honored as District Legionnaire of the Year in 1980. He was also a member of the Mobridge Moose Club. As a devoted and dedicated husband, he was quite a domestic engineer around the house, especially after his retirement. He enjoyed gardening and yard work at home and for the church in Mobridge. The Catholic faith was very important to Vince. He was a member and served on the church council at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mobridge.
Vince is survived by his sisters, Rose Ann (Joe) Slinger, Agnes (Dale) Schmiesing, brother -in-law, Ralph Schwartz and his wife Donna Jean, sisters-in-law; Joyce Geraets, Jeannine Geraets, Darlene Schwartz, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, MaryLu, parents, brothers John, Peter, Clarence, George, James, Charles and Leonard, and sisters Marie, Catherine and Johanna.
Vincent passed away on Friday, October 4, 2013 at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, SD at the age of 86.