Geraldine Dufur Saiz was born February 27, 1922 in Itasca, Texas to Idell and Jesse Riley. She passed away January 4, 2016 at Sayre, Oklahoma at the age of 93 years, ten months and seven days.
Gerri grew up in Cheyenne area and after her parents passed away, moved with her sibling in Itasca, Texas. After graduating from high school in 1940, she worked for the United States Navy Department in Bremerton, Washington during World War II. After the conclusion of the war, she met and was eventually married to Thomas Henry Dufur in 1946. After their marriage, they traveled throughout the United States living in Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico, settling in Farmington, New Mexico. In 1973, after Thomas’ passing in 1968, she was married to Jacob Saiz and they made their home in Bloomfield, New Mexico. It was during this time that Gerri returned to college to receive her degree in education and became an elementary school teacher. She taught in various schools in the Farmington, New Mexico area until her retirement in 1992. Jacob passed away in 1999 and Gerri moved back to Cheyenne, Oklahoma in 2000 to be near her family. She was very active in community service clubs and civic organizations in Cheyenne but her passion was her faith and children, which was evident by Gerri continuing to teach Sunday School until her health no longer allowed it in 2011.
She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, Thomas Henry Dufur and Jacob Saiz, one daughter, Karen Dufur Davis, four brothers and four sisters.
She is survived by her son, Tom Dufur, Cheyenne, OK; 3 grandchildren: Tyler Davis, El Segundo, CA, DeDeDavis Tran and husband, Khoa, Manhattan Beach, CA and Kristen Davis Cole and husband, Caleb, Cedar Park, TX, 7 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Services will be held Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Cheyenne First United Metohodist Church officiated by Alex Costea. Burial will be at Cheyenne Cemetery under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com
Cheyenne Star, January 14, 2016