December 14, 1936 – April 25, 2022
Luanne Geist passed away on April 25, 2022 at the age of 85. Luanne was born on December 14, 1936 in Strong City, Oklahoma to R.E and Floy Barrett. The family left Oklahoma at the end of The Great Depression for California to find work in the early 1940s. Luanne was raised on a farm in Blythe, California. She enjoyed being outside and reading under the cottonwood tree on their family farm. She graduated from Palo Verde High School then left to attend Pasadena College where she met and married her husband Verlen Geist. Verlen and Luanne were married 64 years.
Luanne was a school teacher in Norwalk for 10 years and after her family moved to Fresno, California, she continued teaching, focused on Special Education in the Clovis Unified School District until she retired. She had a passion for teaching and loved investing in her students.
Luanne enjoyed reading, writing short stories, the music of Bill Gaither, and singing in the choir. Luanne gave her heart to Jesus on July 9, 1948. She loved the church and serving others within it. She was active in Bible study, taught Sunday school, supported her husband in ministry and started a small group ministry at their local church.
Luanne is preceded in death by her parents R.E and Floy Barrett; brothers Wesley Barrett, Wayne Barrett, Bill Barrett, Floyd Barrett and baby brother Roy Aubrey; sister Joy Lee Jimenez.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband Verlen, children; Rod Geist (Kim), Stan Geist (Sylvia) and Melodi Leih (Mike). Grandchildren; Josh Geist (Megan), Andrew Geist (Elena), Zachary Geist (Brittney), Emily Geist, Abigail Phillips (Austin), Seth Geist (Siera), Laura Brooke Hicklin, Megan Sisk (Nolan), Mitchell Leih and Mason Leih. Great Grandchildren; Henry, Violet, Fredrick, Jaxon, Dominic, Melody and Elliot.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Refinery Church located on 3014 W McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93722. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home; any other remembrances may be sent to the church.
