Anne Genevieve Geiser

The love she had for her family was matched only by the love they had for her. To say she was a great person would be an understatement. Anne was generous, smart, determined, and strong. She enjoyed her life. She was curious. She was empathetic and rarely passed judgment. She put up with lots of shenanigans from her children and supported them on their quixotic pursuits.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Frederick James Geiser and daughter Judy Anne Geiser. In addition, she was preceded in death by her parents Genevieve and Frank Thompson, sisters Joan Loes and Sally Finnegan, brother Jack Thompson, brother-in-law Dr. Louis Loes, and sister-in-law Mary Virginia Thompson.

Anne is survived by six children: Sky Campbell (Basil Campbell), Janie Geiser (Lew Klahr), Jim Geiser (Leslie Geiser), Jack Geiser, Mary Wier (Andrew Wier) and Joanie Geiser; her grandchildren Angela Campbell (Robert Joiner), Demetry Campbell, Steve Geiser, Alexandra Geiser, Joshua Wier (Paige Seago), Julie Wier, Morgan Geiser (Amelia Boland), Slater Klahr, and Lauren Geiser; her great-grandchild, Serena Carlin Joiner; and by her brother Paul Thompson (Mary Thompson).

Anne Genevieve Thompson was born on January 7, 1925, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Francis James Thompson and Genevieve (Casutt) Thompson. She was the second eldest of the five Thompson children: Joan, (Anne), Jack, Salley, and Paul. Her father Frank Thompson was the mayor and owner of Thompson Food Market. Even during the Depression there was enough to eat.

Anne’s childhood was a happy one. She and her siblings, with the neighboring Fuller kids and other friends, roamed freely across several yards on Grandview Ave. They picked apples, played games, and remained friends for life.

Anne attended St. Columbkille elementary and high school in Dubuque and studied at Clarke College. She first met her future husband, Fred Geiser, while roller skating in Dubuque. That meeting did not immediately lead to romance, as the war soon intervened. After the war, Anne and a friend were at a Dubuque bar, when they ran into Fred. Later, Fred drove Anne back home to Grandview Avenue, asked her for a date, and destiny took over from there.

Anne loved Dubuque, and she loved Fred. When Fred graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Anne and Fred (now married) left Dubuque and followed the Mississippi River down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Fred had been offered work with Esso (now Exxon).

In Baton Rouge, Anne and Fred were at the center of a lively and loving group of friends, many of whom were also connected to Esso. They worked hard, had lots of kids, and enjoyed each other’s company. They gathered for dance parties, costumed New Year’s parties, poker on Friday nights, and regular barbeques. They were often at each other's homes while their children ran wild with each other across their neighborhood yards.

Anne had always imagined a life like the one that she grew up with---living in one place and developing long friendships. All that changed (except for the long friendships) when, in 1964, Fred was transferred to Atlanta. Anne packed up for the first of many moves. Atlanta was followed by New Jersey, Singapore, and Houston. She somehow managed to find schools for her kids and always made new friends.

In Singapore, Anne started to follow one of her original desires: to paint. She studied Chinese brush painting as well as western techniques. In the years that followed, she made numerous paintings which she freely gave away, and which are treasured by her children, grandchildren, and friends. In her last years, she gravitated toward painting flowers that were vibrant and full of life. She played the piano and was an accomplished writer.

When Fred passed away in 1997, Anne found her way back to Baton Rouge, where she was welcomed by countless friends and by her son Jim and his family. Bridge games ensued. Saturday donut days became a ritual. Anne traveled to destinations as far as Madagascar and China, sometimes with her sister Joan and husband, but most often with her sister Sally. They were adventurous and curious and had a lot of fun wherever they went.

Anne eventually left Baton Rouge and moved to Athens, Georgia, where her daughter Sky and family lived, and where her son Jim and his family had relocated to. A few years later, her youngest daughter Joanie also moved to Athens. Anne's out of town children (Jack and Mary, Austin; Janie, Los Angeles) and their families visited often. The extended family often gathered at Anne’s home on Sunday for lively evenings of cards and food.

Anne was a loyal and thoughtful friend to many. She was an independent spirit and modeled that for her children.

She determined her own course until the very end.

We miss you already, mom.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anne Geiser's name to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (https://foodbanknega.org).

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.