Geraldine Greaton and Mable Arnquist are pictured at the Methodist Church Thanksgiving Dinner at the
Community Center on November 7, 2001.Geri Greaton, 83, of New Richmond passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2003.
She was born in Clear Lake (delivered by Dr. Nelson - Senator Gaylord Nelson's father), the only child of Elmer (Swannie) and Marguerite (Dresser) Swanson of Deer Park. Geraldine was a proud New Richmond High School graduate, class of '37. She married her high school sweetheart Eben Greaton on April 15, 1944. Eben preceded her in death on May 9 (Mother's Day) 1993.
Geri is survived by her son, Bart Greaton; daughter, Karen Greaton; son-in-law, Bill Gillespie; and grandson, Robert Eben Greaton Gillespie (Regg).
Her wish was to have her funeral service at the Deer Park Methodist Church where as a young girl she played the piano and found God.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at Deer Park Methodist Church. A burial service will be on Mother's Day, May 9, 2004.
Geri Greaton was always proud to be an American, very patriotic, very proud to be from New Richmond - "the big city for a little girl from Deer Park." She was thrilled to have been the Grand Marshall for the Fun Fest Parade in 2000. She loved her family and friends.
Geri loved life!!
(New Richmond News - Thursday, December 11, 2003)
Geri Greaton remembered for contributions to city business
In an obituary appearing in today's New Richmond News, Geraldine Greaton (nee Swanson) was remembered by her daughter, Karen Greaton-Gillespie, as someone who loved life and was proud of her community.
Mrs. Greaton, 83, who died Dec. 3, was a fixture among downtown New Richmond business owners for well over a quarter of a century.
She and her husband, Eben, youngest son of Wilson Greaton, one of the city's patriarchs, owned and operated Greaton's Jewelry for many years, a tradition now upheld by their daughter, Karen.
The Greaton family traced its New Richmond roots back before the Civil War, when Orin Lee Greaton migrated to the Hudson area from Maine in about the year 1860. He married Elizabeth Jacobs, the daughter of the owner of a New Richmond lumber mill. One of their children, Wilson Eben Greaton, became one of New Richmond's leading citizens, living past the age of 100.
Even at the age of 97, Wilson Greaton continued to be active in his community, serving as chairman of the board of First National Bank of New Richmond at the time (1976) that a profile was written about the jewelry store.
Geri Greaton became part of that family tradition when she and Eben Greaton, the youngest son of Wilson Greaton, were married in 1944. The former Geri Swanson, a Deer Park native who had attended New Richmond High School, became Mrs. Eben Greaton.
At the time of their marriage, Mr. Greaton had already been working about six years for Matt Lyngaas and C.H. Todd in what was then a retail business offering sporting goods and jewelry for sale.
Excluding the World War II years, Eben Greaton worked for Lyngaas and Todd for 11 years before purchasing the business from Lyngaas, the sole surviving partner, in 1950.
A decade later, the Greatons replaced the sporting goods lines with fine china.
From that day to this, through the ownership and stewardship of Geri and Eben, and now, their daughter, Karen, Greaton's Jewelry has been a major player in the downtown New Richmond community.
Her contributions to New Richmond were commemorated when she was named grand marshall of the Fun Fest parade.
Funeral services are at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 12, at the Deer Park Methodist Church.
Karen Greaton said that a burial service would take place next Mother's Day, on the 11th anniversary of the death of Geri's husband, Eben.
(New Richmond News - Thursday, December 11, 2003)
Geraldine Greaton and Mable Arnquist are pictured at the Methodist Church Thanksgiving Dinner at the
Community Center on November 7, 2001.
These Deer Park girls have come a long way together. Both grew up and went
to grade school in Deer Park, then high school in New Richmond. Both settled
down raising families in New Richmond and both married prominent New Richmond
main street businessmen. On the day of the photo they are back in Deer Park
together once again.
Geraldine was particularly outspoken and gleeful about being back visiting
with friends when this photo was taken. This memorable conversation with
these two fine ladies will be remembered always. -Dennis Larson 12/12/2003
George O'Brien with his wagon and team of horses hauled way freight for many years. In 1920 to 1930, when Geraldine (Swanson) Greaton was a young girl, there was a special seat on his wagon just for her to ride on (she was the Depot agent's daughter). Later Emil Gust who lived 1/2 mile west did a lot of hauling. Some of the larger items were put in the warehouse and the owner was notified by mail to come and pick it up. (Before telephones).
-History Town of Cylon and Deer Park, Wisconsin, 54007 by A. Sabena Fouks, 1983.
