Geraldine Harris Bateman

Geraldine Harris Bateman was the second of five daughters born Daniel Blaine and Melva Call Harris on June 11, 1946. Geri was a happy child and proud to be part of what her father fondly called his “Harris Harem.” Geri passed away peacefully on October 3, 2022, after a long, painful fight with M.S. We never heard her complain. She was a comforting angel to all who knew her, always kind, always serving, always thinking of others.

She began her education at BYU Provo, later completing her RN while helping care for her granddaughter. She was a wonderful, caring nurse who loved serving others. In turn, those she cared for loved her.

Geri, like her parents, was an outdoor enthusiast. She enjoyed many hiking and camping trips with the family, picking and eating huckleberries at 8 Mile, and gathering for large family picnics at Hooper Springs. She traveled around the world with her military family, but always loved coming home to Idaho each summer. She lovingly cared for her mother after brain surgery in 1993 and later returned to Idaho to help care for her father. She stayed faithfully by his side when he went into a coma and provided comfort and loving care until his passing in 2001. Later, she moved to that same Idaho home he helped build many years before.

Geri enjoyed music, reading, sewing, embroidery, homemaking and was also an excellent cook. She had a funny sense of humor, often chasing others with her cane when we tried to help her.

She cherished her four children: Jennifer, Nathan, Amy and Brett, as well as her grandchildren. She continually serving them until developing Multiple Sclerosis. She always remained friends with Hal Bateman, her former husband and father of her children. They continued to gather for many holidays and to treat each other kindly. Hal passed away only 3 days before Geri, after having suffered from Progressive Super-nuclear Palsy. Despite having to cope with this rare illness, he continued to call and check on her regularly.

Geraldine was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having served in the Primary and Young Women’s organizations.

Her family would like to offer a special thanks to those who provided such loving care to her in her final years.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Soda Springs 3rd Ward building. The family will receive friends at a viewing to be held for one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will take place following the funeral at the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs.

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