Geraldine J. Kottre

Feb 24, 1934 -

Dec 29, 2022

Geraldine "Geri" passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Dec. 29, 2022. Geri was born in Sublimity, Ore., on Feb. 24, 1934, to Alfred and Angeline Hartmann. She graduated from St. Boniface High School in 1953, and later graduated from Dental Nurses Training School in San Francisco, Calif. Geri then worked as a dental assistant in Salem, Ore. She met Robert "Bob" Kottre at a local dance, and he stole her heart. They were married in 1955, beginning 66 years of marriage and adventure by moving to Alaska in 1958.

After arriving in Anchorage, Alaska, Geri worked as a dental assistant. As their family grew, Geri stayed home, taking care of the children. In 1971, Geri began driving a bus for the Anchorage School District, where she earned numerous safety awards. She retired after 22 years of service.

Geri's home was always full of children, her own seven, the neighbors or those she babysat. She volunteered countless hours of her time to support the activities that her children were involved in. She was a Cub Scout den leader, designed and sewed dance costumes, and was a swim meet timer, to name a few. Geri sewed countless costumes and donated much of her time and talents to the Alaskanettes Baton & Show Corps. She was generous with her time and skills while working full-time and later in retirement. Her other interests included knitting, canning and gardening. Geri was a master gardener; she and Bob had a greenhouse and a large garden where they grew many vegetables for the family. She enjoyed having fun with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was so proud of all their achievements and loved attending their events to cheer them on.

Over the years, Geri and Bob had many adventures in Alaska, including boating and fishing in Resurrection Bay and Homer, taking their travel trailer all over the state, up and down the Alaska Highway several times, across the Lower 48 and into northern Canada. They flew in their small plane to English Bay for fishing and were permitted to set net in Goose Bay. Bob taught Geri to fly an airplane, and she earned her private pilot license.

Never one to shy away from hard work, Geri did so much for her family. Although Bob's job often required him to be out of town for days, the words "Wait until your father gets home" never crossed her lips. If something or someone needed to be taken care of, she would handle it.

One thing Geri undoubtedly will be remembered for is her letter writing. No one wrote more letters than Geri. Many of her relatives can attest to that.

Geri was a devout Catholic and had been an active and longtime member of St. Benedict's Parish in Anchorage. She was a eucharistic minister and taught children's religious education, CCD, for decades. She was also an active member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She donated countless hours to the church she loved.

Geri had a special place in her heart for veterans. She was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and served as Alaska's president of the organization. In addition, she was a regular volunteer for the Veteran's Administration in Anchorage.

Geri participated in the Alaska Business Woman's Association and the Moose Lodge of Anchorage. She also made time in her busy schedule to regularly donate blood to the Blood Bank of Alaska, donating just shy of 13 gallons of blood in her lifetime.

Geri was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; grandchildren, Adam Patton, Rachael Waggoner and Olivia Kottre; and brother, Bob Hartmann of Stayton, Ore.

She is survived by her sisters, Linda Fleener of Anchorage and Sandra Guestetter of California; brothers, Leland (Molly) Hartmann of Oregon, Dennis (Lorraine) Hartmann of Washington; children, Tim (Sandi) Kottre, Terry (Paul) Kvernplassen, Angela (Joe) Moran, Melissa (Chad) Lindman, Paula (Tate) Rogers, all of Alaska, and Greg (Sandy) Kottre and Roberta (Jack) Waggoner of Washington; 24 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, plus one on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Marlow Manor and Providence Hospice for caring for Geri. Their kindness and compassion are very much appreciated.

A funeral mass will be held on Jan. 21, 2023, at 1 p.m., at St. Benedict's Parish, preceded by a Rosary at 12:30 p.m. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Geri's honor to the Alzheimer's Association, alz.org; or Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, alzalaska.org.