Geraldine E. Prairie

Geraldine Elizabeth "Jerry" Prairie, 91, of Momence, died Wednesday (July 17, 2013) at Presence Our Lady of Victory. She was born to Leo E. and Caroline (Straus) Bertrand on Sept. 25, 1921, in Flint, Mich. She was raised in the Catholic faith and when growing up, attended Catholic grade schools in the Kankakee area. She was married to Lyeth "Pete" Prairie on July 8, 1939, at St. Patrick Church in Kankakee. Her husband preceded her in death Oct. 15, 1994. In her early years she worked at Bear Brand Hosiery in Kankakee. She met her future husband, Pete, at the Woodman Hall in Kankakee where she frequently attended Saturday evening dances, popular at that time. After marrying, she and Pete worked together for three years building their house along the river in Momence before moving in and calling it home. They lived there all their lives. Geraldine was very creative. She liked to make her own clothes and sewed many outfits for her daughters. She had a great sense of style. She loved flower arranging and had many beautiful flowers in her yard, over the years. She wrote poems and dabbled in drawing and painting. She, along with her husband, designed floats and costumes for the Gladiolus Festival for years, during which she also participated in the flower show, winning many awards. She set lovely tables when entertaining family and friends. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed canning vegetables and fruits. A faithful church member, she raised her family in the Catholic faith and often volunteered at her church. She was a member of the Council of Catholic Women but fondly referred to it by the former name of Guild. She was a room mother for St. Patrick Academy, a Cub Scout leader for her son and a 4-H leader for her daughters. She loved studying and reading, especially about history, and was a member of the Kankakee Historical Society. She often enjoyed attending area-wide card parties with friends. After being an at-home mom for many years, when her children were grown, she worked as a desk clerk at the Hotel Kankakee, a waitress at several restaurants and enjoyed being the assistant librarian at the Chipman Public Library in Momence. She valued education and received her GED after her children were grown. She was an avid reader, even after losing much of her eyesight. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; stepfather, Maurice Bertrand; two brothers, Clifford and Richard; and her sister, Maxine (Ambrose) Martel. She is survived by three children, Karen Sturgis, of Watseka, Reisha (A. Duane) Raymond, of St. Anne, and Mark Prairie, of Michigan. She leaves three grandchildren, Reise D. Keller, Justin D. Keller and Seneca (Thomas Jr.) Popovich. Seven great-grandchildren survive, Cory Keller, Courtney Keller, Megan Keller, Legend Keller, and Logan, Larson and Olivia Popovich. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Friday until the 11 a.m. funeral services at St. Patrick Church, 119 Market St., Momence. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Momence. A gathering luncheon will follow in Demarais Hall, the lower meeting room of the church. Memorials may be made to the Kankakee Historical Society of the Salvation Army of Kankakee.

Geraldine E. Prairie

September 25, 1921 - July 17, 2013