Geraldine Nigon

Geraldine Ellen Nigon, 96, of Rochester, Minn., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Joan’s Place in Hampton, Minn..

Geraldine was born Nov. 22, 1926 in Minneapolis to Glenn and Inez (Melin) Gulstrand. She was a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in home economics. Geraldine taught school in Dover/Eyota, where she would meet and later marry Clair Nigon. Clair and Geraldine were united in marriage on Oct. 6, 1951, in Minneapolis. Geraldine and Clair were blessed with 10 children. Geraldine was an active member of St. Francis Catholic Church and St. Anthony Church in Loyal.

Geraldine and Clair farmed in Viola, Minn., moving to Greenwood in 1978 to a bigger farm. In 1987 they retired to Loyal, where they were faithful members of St. Anthony’s Church. Clair passed away in 1998 and then Geraldine moved to Rochester, Minn., in 2008 to Shorewood until 2013 when she then moved to Joan’s Place in Hampton, Minn.

Geraldine was very artistic, loved drawing and always had a positive attitude. Geraldine’s grandkids looked forward to vacationing at Grandma’s, where they would bake cookies and make wooden crafts. Geraldine loved to fish since she was a young girl. She and Clair would winter in Texas each year, and after Clair passed away, Geraldine would take yearly trips with each of her kids. Geraldine also kept in close contact with her high school and college friends, who called themselves the P.I.P.S. Geraldine loved to bake and every day she would have a fresh batch of cookies made for when the kids came home from school. She was a faithful woman to her family and to her Lord. She will be missed.

Geraldine is survived by her sons, Richard (Dawn) Nigon of Stillwater, Minn., Daryl (Ruth) Nigon of Rochester, Minn., Harold (Susan) Nigon of Rudolph, James (Elaine) Nigon of Greenwood, Martin (Kathleen) Nigon of Greenwood, Raymond (Susan) Nigon of Cottage Grove, Michael (Barbara) Nigon of Elk Mound, and Stephen (Annah) Nigon of Spencer; daughters, Kathryn (Paul) Lindner of Rochester, Minn., and Patricia (John) Kocur of Welch, Minn.; 34 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren on the way and many nieces and nephews.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her loving husband, Clair; her brother, Glenn Gulstrand Jr.; great-grandson Cole Litkey; and other beloved family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1114 Third St. SE, Rochester, Minn., with Father Jim Berning officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Cemetery in Geraldine’s memory.

To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.mackenfuneralhome. com.

PAID OBITUARY 138901