Geraldine "Geri" C. Bryan

Geraldine C. “Geri” Bryan, 87, of Sioux City, IA, passed away on December 11, 2022.  A memorial service will be held on Thursday December 15th, 2022 at 2:00 with a visitation prior with the family at 1:00 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Geri was born on July 7,1935 in Onawa, IA to Ira and Luella (Krueger) Clayton. She grew up with 6 brothers: Everett (Abe), Lyle, Bob, Mike, Phil, and Donny all now deceased. 

She graduated from Onawa high school and was united in marriage to Lyle “Dutch” Bryan on July 17,1953 in Onawa. Geri worked as a telephone operator in Sioux City from 1953-57 while her husband attended Morningside College and played football. The couple then moved to Centerville, SD until 1959 and then to Early, IA, Paulina, IA and then settled in Sioux City in 1965. During this time they had 3 children. 

Geri attended night school at Morningside College, eventually going full time and earning her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She then went on to the University of South Dakota, obtained her Master’s Degree and became a Reading Specialist. She began her teaching career in Elk Point, SD in 1974, then taught at West Junior and East Middle, retiring from the Sioux City School District in 1993.

She enjoyed golfing, crafts, camping, baking pies and cinnamon rolls, and spending time with her family. She was the BEST “assistant coach” for her husband and his teams, washing uniforms, sewing on “stars” to uniforms and preparing postseason meals for the teams.  She never missed an opportunity to invite you in and offer you a meal and/or a bag of goodies to take home. For many years, she would knit each member of her family, young and old, a pair of slippers for Christmas. Each pair was unique and have been cherished by her family for years to come. The family will be wearing slippers at the service in her honor.

Those left to honor and enjoy her memory include her loving husband of 69 years Lyle “Dutch” Bryan, Sioux City; her children: Greg (Larysa) Bryan, Booneville, Arkansas; Gina (Tom) Grimsley, Sioux City, IA; and Dawn (Scott) Rong, Des Moines, IA; Nine grandchildren: Amber (Roy) Harris, Ashli (Joe) Bak, Audri (Josh) Carlson, Austin Bryan, Jessica (Patrick) Barnes, Dylan (Samantha) Grimsley, Hannah (Corey) Grimsley, Rebecca Rong and Rachel Rong; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her parents and 8 brothers (twins died at birth).

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Noah’s Hope  [email protected], The Humane Society, or Sioux City Animal Adoption and Rescue Center. Geri was a fierce animal lover!