Loving Wife, Mother, Grand/Great Gramma, Aunt, and Loyal Friend went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 30 at the Niobrara Community Hospital with her daughters by her side. A celebration of her life was held on Saturday July 6, 2019 with Pastor Tom Strock in charge of the service.
Geneva 92 was born Jan. 2, 1927 in Wheatland, Wyoming the first child of seven born to Luther A. Penfield and Reba H. (Sparks) Penfield. They lived on the homestead near Lance Creek. She took her primary years of school in Lance Creek either getting there by horseback or walking. Geneva took her high school in Lusk. She married John H Burke on Feb. 19, 1944 before he went to serve his country in the Army. She graduated from Lusk High School class of 1944. After graduating she joined her husband in Kentucky where he was then stationed. She waited tables while there. When he was shipped off to the war she returned to Lusk. In March of 1945 she became of mother of twin daughters. A young mother of two in the middle of the war was no easy job for her. She might have thought she was in a war at times when they were both crying at the same time and nothing seemed to be wrong. Johnny returned home at the end of the war to join his family and get acquainted with his daughters. Geneva was glad for the help. They lived out in the Lance Creek area when the son Stoney (Steven) was born. They lived on several ranches before buying a service station 25 miles north of Lusk. They raised the family there. Geneva drove to Lusk to work where she was a waitress, moved on to being a clerk at the Ben Franklin store for 30 some years, and at 50 decided to try a new career and began working at the Lusk State Bank. She retired from the bank twice after working there for 30 years. Geneva loved Jesus and her Church and served as Sunday school teacher, youth leader for many years, as well as serving on the Board in many difference capacities. She always said if she didn’t go to church on Sunday it messed up her week.
Geneva is survived by her daughters Lorraine and Loretta and son Stoney (Steven). 7 Grandchildren, and 12 Great Grandchildren. Trent(Patti)Sullivan( Austin, Ryley and Erin), Kristy(Denis)Cater(Sarah and Jenna), Trevor(Lori)Sullivan (Jessie(Jesse) Boris), (TJ and Tristin), Kevin(Sallie)Miller(Alisa), and Josh Burke(Ginger, Conner, Tony and Isabella). One Brother Luther Penfield, many nieces, nephews and special friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Luther A. and Reba Penfield, sisters Bernice Bolinger, Twila Berry, and brothers Norman, John and Orval Penfield and Grandson Jake Sullivan
