Geraldine Francis Harrer (Gerri), 83, of Spring Valley, passed away peacefully at Spring Valley Living Care Center, September 28, 2025, with her son and granddaughters by her side.

Geraldine was born May 23rd, 1942, in Harvey, IL, to Russel and Olive Jean Growden. Gerri was one half of the first of two sets of twins (Jerry and Geraldine and Jeannie and Janet) born 18 months apart.

After high school, Gerri was employed by the Mayo Clinic as a switchboard operator, Phlebotomist and sang in the Mayo Clinic Choir. While working there, Gerri met, fell in love with, and married Gary Harrer. 

Together, they raised two sons, Shawn Joseph, and Craig Charles. While raising her boys and keeping her home, Gerrialso worked as a cook for Central Elementary School in Stewartville and at Family Services of Rochester helping aging clients with shopping and cleaning. Gerri and Gary recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Gerri enjoyed crocheting blankets for family and friends, spending family time together, cooking, playing cards, watching Wheel of Fortune, eating nightly ice cream, and relaxing in the enclosed porch overlooking Sturgeon Lake in Northern Minnesota.

‘Grammy’ as she was known to her grandchildren and great-grandson, was always the happiest when surrounded by her family and enjoying one another’s company.

Along with her husband, Gerri enjoyed traveling to Florida in the winter and spending summers on Sturgeon Lake, MN, where she was always busy making a beautiful home and making her famous beef roast supper with the “fixens.”

Gerri is survived by her son Craig (Heather), four grandchildren; Johanas (Amanda), Miranda, Kenneth, and Delaney, and one great-grandson, Shawn. Gerri was preceded in death by her parents, sister Jean, husband Gary, and son, Shawn.

Gerri requested cremation and no services. The family will be having private celebrations for Gerri. We will enjoy a beef roast, play a few rounds of the card game Golf, and attempt to solve the word puzzles before the Wheel of Fortune contestants. If you’re so-inclined, pull out a good puzzle book and do a word search in Gerri’s memory.