Geraldine L. (Klima) Hiatt

Geraldine Louise (Klima) Hiatt daughter of Edward and Louise (Strnad) Klima was born on the Klima farm near Narka, Kansas on February 23, 1926 and passed away on January 24, 2022 at the age of 95 years, 11 months and 1 day. 

At the age of four, Geraldine’s mother died of cancer. To help out her father, she went to live with several relatives; George and Blanche (Strnad) Horak, Charlie and Mary (Klima) Strnad, Joe and Marye Strnad, and the Bill and Lois Strnad family. This arrangement gave her an extended family of 12 brothers and sisters.  When Geraldine was 10 years old her father died of dust pneumonia and at that time she went to live with Faye and Sophia (Strnad) Hudson.

Geraldine attended Island Hall Country School, Munden Grade School and graduated from Munden High School in 1944.  She attended Emporia State Teachers College, Fairbury Jr. College, and Kansas State University.  Upon graduation she taught for nine years at Rural Beck, Rose Creek, and Hill Schools and Narka Grade School.

On August 7, 1949 Geraldine married Gene E. Hiatt.  To this union three children were born.  Tim, Tom, and Trudy.  Gene and Geraldine lived their entire lives in Munden, owned and operated Hiatt Grain and Feed, Hiatt Poultry Farm, and were active members of the Kansas Grain and Feed Dealer Association.  Geraldine was a member of Zion Evangelical Church and was the church organist and Sunday School pianist, was active in Munden EHU, Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Eastern Star, Ladies Bible Study, was a Munden 4-H leader and NCK Fair Board Clerk.

Geraldine is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband Gene.  She will be forever remembered by her sons Tim (Karen) Hiatt, Tom (Cheryl) Hiatt, and daughter Trudy (Raymond) Dennison.  Grandchildren Lara Hiatt, April (Casey) Coons, Haley (Josh) Anderson, Seth Hiatt, Tad Hiatt, and Sarah (Michael) Swanson.  Four Great-grandchildren: Levi, Charleigh, Easton and Hudson. She is also survived by one Sister-in-law Judy Hiatt of Kearney Missouri, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a community of family and friends.

 Funeral services will be held Ten Thirty AM, Saturday, January 29, 2022, Zion Evangelical Church, Munden, Kansas, conducted by, Pastor’s Harvey Farnsworth and Fred Mikesell.

 Interment will be in Tabor Cemetery, rural Munden, Kansas.

 Memorials may be given to Geraldine L. Hiatt memorial fund.

 Friends may call on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 1 PM to 8 PM at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS, where the family will receive friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.

 Online condolences and information at www.bachelor-surber.com

 Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS in charge of arrangements.

Obituary to follow

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