Geneva Alice Biagi

Geneva Biagi, 80, of Walla Walla died
March 26, 2015, at Kadlec Hospital in
Richland, surrounded by her family. She was born on
May 16, 1934, in Scotland, Ark., to Lester and Esther
Nixon. The family moved shortly after her birth to
Gracemont, Okla., and then settled in Elba, Ark., until
moving to Walla Walla in 1947. She was the sixth
of nine children. As a young girl she worked picking
berries at the Klicker farm, where her family resided.
She attended Berney School and Walla Walla High
School, earning her GED later in life.

She met the love of her life, John Biagi, on a date
set up by their mutual friend, Claudia (Duke) Deccio.
They later married and had eight children. They
lived on the family farm and raised a variety of crops,
mainly Walla Walla Sweet Onions. Together they
enjoyed camping, fishing and made several trips to
Hawaii. They enjoyed watching sports together, especially
the Mariners, Seahawks and Gonzaga basketball
and had many chances to watch their children
and grandchildren play. Geneva and John enjoyed
each other’s company and were best friends, which
made for a great marriage. They celebrated their
63rd wedding anniversary on Sept 16, 2014.

Geneva was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church
in Walla Walla, St. Ann’s Altar Society and the St.
Francis prayer chain. In the early years, she worked
at Birdseye Cannery as a secretary and later went
to cake-decorating school. She made beautiful cakes
for weddings and many other occasions. She played
Bunco for many years, and was on a bowling team.
She took up going to yard sales and bought and sold
many antiques and collectibles.

Geneva loved and took great delight in all of her children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She
became a Washington State Republican delegate, to
help the pro-life cause and was involved in Human
Life for many years. Her dedication to the sanctity of
human life was passed onto her children and grandchildren.
She kept a big chest full of toys in her living
room so children would always feel welcome in
her home. She loved flower gardening and took much
pride in keeping her flower beds beautiful. As health
concerns rose, she looked forward to rehabilitation
exercise twice a week at Providence St. Mary Medical
Center. Her husband, John, lovingly took care of her
in their home.

She is survived by her husband, John; and their eight
children, John Biagi Jr. of Walla Walla, Judy (Larry)
Reid of Richland, Bob (Debbie) Biagi of Colfax, Wash.,
Debbie (Howard) Daniel of Walla Walla, Karen (Dan)
Blasdel of Pasco, Terri (Mike) Neal of Walla Walla,
Angela (Eric) Andersen of Kennewick, and Donny
Biagi of Spokane. She is also survived by 37 grandchildren
and 47 great-grandchildren; two sisters,
Beulah Lasater of Richland, and Mary Featherston
of Kenmore, Wash.; a brother, Ray Nixon of Colville,
Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was
preceded in death by her granddaughter, Stacey Reid;
her parents; her sisters, Imogene Lasater and Donna
Sterlin; and her brothers, Leland Nixon, Paul Nixon
and Gary Nixon.

Visitation and viewing will be Tuesday, March 31,
2015, from 3 p.m. until after the Rosary. The Rosary
will be recited at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2015,
at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The funeral
Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 1, 2015,
at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, both with
Father David Gaines officiating. Burial will be following
in the Odd Fellows Section of the Mountain View
Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to St.
Francis Catholic Church, Birthright or the charity of
one’s choice.