Genie was born in Bluffton, Ohio, to Harvey and Marie Wilch, on March 6, 1945. She graduated from Kenton High School, in Kenton, Oh. She went to her beloved Ohio State University, where she graduated with a BA in Music Education, in 1967, and then continued at Ohio State to complete her masters in Piano Performance.
She began her teaching career in Wapakoneta, Ohio, where she taught for one year. She always wanted to go to Colorado, so in 1970, she moved to Pueblo, CO, and began teaching there. She also taught in Florence, Westcliffe, and La Junta, Co, as well. In 1990, she moved to the Phoenx area, where she taught elementary band in the Cartwright School District, for 17 years.
Genie was married to Victor Peterson, in July of 1974, in Pueblo, CO. They have two daughters, Robyn Aguire and Jayme Hawthorne, along with four grandchildren, Brianne and Colby Hawthorne, and Chance and Baily Aguire, who all survive. She is also survived by her mother, two brothers Ray and Robert Wilch, both of Bluffton, Oh, along with several cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, along with her two sisters, Lavonn Downey and Louise Amstutz.
Genie had several loves, but most of all was her beloved Ohio State University Buckeyes football team and 'The Best Damn Band in the Land". She loved watching the football and basketball games. She spent several years as a member of The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Phoenix.
She also loved horses and has had many over the years, starting as a young girl in Ohio. She barrel raced for many years in jackpots. She also competed several years in the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association as a barrel racer and ribbon runner for ribbon roping.
Another love of Genie's was Colorado. She and Vic, along with Vic's brother Bob and his wife, Joyce, spent a week together, fishing and sight seeing, in Gunnison, Co, for the past five summers.
Genie's other love was spending time with her family and her grandchildren.
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