Geneva "Jean" Kathryn Heinzman

Geneva “Jean” Kathryn Holbrook was
born to Nile and Layette Holbrook on
Aug. 02, 1927, in Mankato, Minn. The
youngest of five children, she grew up in Mankato
known as “Babe” to her older siblings. In 1945 she
met Jerome “Jerry” Heinzman. Jerry and Jean were
united in marriage April 28, 1947, at St. Peter & Paul
Catholic Church.

Seeking new adventures, Jean and Jerry headed
west to Longview, Wash., in 1948. Setting up house in
an 18-foot travel trailer, Jean and Jerry began raising
their family. In the coming years, Jerry built a modest
two-bedroom home for Jean in Longview, making the
job of raising three rambunctious boys a bit easier.
Three of their four boys were born while settled in
Longview. In 1955, the family moved to Walla Walla,
where she called home for the next 59 years. Here the
last of the Heinzman boys was born. Jean took great
pride in her family and was often overheard “bragging
them up!”

Jean was very active in the Catholic Church and
school communities working as a study hall monitor,
spelling teacher and cafeteria cook at St. Patrick’s
Catholic School, cook and housekeeper for the priests
and brothers at St. Patrick’s Parish rectory, caretaker
for the elderly, member of the Altar Society and
Catholic Daughters and as a volunteer at St. Vincent
de Paul Society, where she made quilts for those in
need. She also provided income for the family by tossing
pizzas at a local pizza parlor and ironing clothes
for local families. While residing in their winter home
of Quartzite, Ariz., Jean and husband Jerry were instrumental
in the establishment and building of the
new Queen of Peace Catholic Church, which celebrated
its first Mass on Christmas day 1995.

Left to live on in Geneva’s loving spirit are sons and
daughters-in-laws, Steve and Irene, Dan, Dick and
Karen, and Phil and Cindy; grandchildren, Dusty
(Lucia), Phil, Christanna (Chris Mondaine), Samuel
(Danielle), Greg (Angie), Matt, Brian (Amy), Chelsea
(Bradley Bradberry) and Addison; great-grandchildren,
Colton, Conner, Imanee, Nalani, Atticus, Dietrich,
Stone; three other great-grandchildren “in the
oven;” nephews, Randy Holbrook, Donny Holbrook,
Rod McCarger; and niece, Sharon Mann. Geneva
was preceded in death by husband, Jerome “Jerry”
Heinzman; mother, Layette; father, Nile; brothers,
Harland, Dean and Donald Holbrook; and sister, Vivian
Gonzales.

The Rosary will be said Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, at 5
p.m. at Herring Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will
be celebrated Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, at 10 a.m. at
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Please join the family
in celebrating Geneva’s life at a reception following
Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla
Walla Community Hospice, St. Vincent de Paul, and St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church through Herring Funeral
Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla.