Geri Maier

Geri Welle Maier, 57, died Wednesday, September 24, 2014, in Bismarck, ND, from a many year battle with breast cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Monday, September 29, at Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N 2nd St., Bismarck, with Father Victor Feser officiating. Visitation will be held from 3-9pm Sunday, September 28, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil will begin at 7pm. Entombment will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Geri was born on June 17, 1957, in Fosston, MN, to Harvey and Shirley Winkler Welle and grew up on a farm near Mahnomen, MN. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from University of North Dakota in 1979. After Graduation, Geri worked as an ICU nurse. In 1987, she went on to receive her Masters of Science in Nursing from University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Afterwards, Geri became a professor at Medcenter One College of Nursing and, later, University of Mary College of Nursing for many years. Her passion and dedication to teaching demonstrated that it was her calling. Pushing students to achieve their highest potentials truly fulfilled her. On August 2, 1980, Geri married Dave Maier at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN. They moved to Bismarck, ND, in 1981 where they have resided ever since. They had two children, Mike and Melissa. More recently, they have enjoyed spoiling two grandchildren, Braden and Brielle. Geri's favorite mornings included a Starbucks peppermint mocha in hand after a rejuvenating trip from the YMCA. Many nights consisted of dining at local restaurants and then catching the Big Bang Theory in "her spot." On weekends that weren't spent at the lake, she enjoyed using her Kohl's cash and numerous coupons on her family members. Every year, Geri would try to have a fun vacation planned - a recent excursion included fulfilling her lifelong dream to visit the British Isles. Many family and friends' birthdays were accompanied by gorgeously decorated cakes from Geri, but her signature dessert was her soft sugar cookies. When she wasn't baking, Geri would read endlessly from the many books stashed around the house. She was a very generous and loving mother, wife, sister, and friend who would do anything for the ones she held dear. Geri will be deeply missed by her husband of 34 years, Dave; her two children, Mike Lacey of Bismarck, Melissa of Mitchell, SD; her two grandchildren, Braden and Brielle; her mother, Shirley Welle of Fergus Falls, MN; her four sisters, Bonnie Harley Zimmel of Evansville, MN, Charlene Cletus Geray of Waubun, MN, Diane Rod Rothschadl of Thief River Falls, MN, MeLinda Doug Dewey of Fergus Falls, MN; her foster brother, David Beaulieu of Mahnomen, MN; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Geri was preceded in death by her father, Harvey Welle; a sister, Mary; and a niece, Amanda Dewey.

Geri Maier

June 17, 1957 - September 24, 2014