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September 3, 2010
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In Memoriam: Geraldine Hall Geraldine Ann Hall passed into eternity on August 29, 2010 surrounded by her family and those who loved her. Born February 11, 1925 in Altoona, Iowa to Henry and Frances Knip, she grew up on a farm before her family moved to Chicago where she graduated from high school at 16. She took the Civil Servant Exam and went to work for a legal firm before becoming the secretary to the United States Marshal and being deputized at age 18. The next year she transferred to the Marshal’s office in Los Angeles where her primary duties were escorting female spies during WWII.
Near the end of the war, she met Robert Hall, Army Air Corps pilot, and they married at Westover Field, Massachusetts in 1945. After the war, they settled back in Long Beach, California, where daughter Suzanne was born, followed by daughter, Betsy. Bob was recalled during the Korean War and was handpicked as one of the first bomber pilots in the newly formed Air Force Strategic Air Command, thus starting Gerry’s new chapter as an Air Force wife.
Her beauty, graciousness and warmth stood her in good stead moving across the United States wherever Bob was stationed. Daughter, Roberta, was born in Tucson, Arizona, and daughter, Deanne, in Shreveport, Louisiana, rounding out their family.
On Bob’s retirement from the Command Post at Offut AFB, Omaha, Nebraska, they returned to California once again, purchasing an egg ranch in Fontana, where they resided for 11 years, before moving again to Alta Loma. When Bob’s health declined, the last move was to Canyon Lake where she has lived since 2001.
Gerry and Bob were extremely active in the VFW at the Ralph Broiles Post 6563. She held all leadership positions in the Ladies Auxiliary including district president. She was also active in the Special Olympics, Elks, American Legion and many other charitable organizations. Her love of country and her patriotism were topped only by her love of her family and God. She was an inspiration to her daughters, grandchildren, relatives and to all who met her.
She is survived by daughters, Suzanne Kowalski, Betsy Kirkland and Roberta Zielke; sons-in-law, Michael Kowalski, Chuck Kirkland and Chuck Zielke; brother and sister-in-law, Vern and Wanda Knip; grandchildren, Joseph Finazzo, Krissi Kowalski, Jacqueline Gouveia, Jeanna Miller, Allison Davis, Kari Kowalski-Jones, Amanda Soto, Joshua Zielke, Brad Kowalski, and Ryan Kirkland; and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bob, daughter, Deanne, grandson, Robert Zielke, and great-grandsons, Jonah Finazzo and Zachary Davis.
Family members say they were blessed to have had her in their lives, adding, “You were there through the hours, the days and the years - my mother and friend in both laughter and tears. You were there - and I know that you always will be - in a space filled with love, at the center of me.”
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 8, at Evans Brown Mortuary in Sun City. Interment will be at noon at Riverside National Cemetery
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