Geraldine “Jean” M. Nave, age 96, of Utica, formerly of Mendota passed away Friday, February 11, 2022, following a brief stay at JPO Retirement Home in Dalzell.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Friday, February 25 in the First Congregational Church in Peru with Rev. Brian Beck officiating. Burial will be in the Miners Memorial Cemetery in Cherry. Visitation will be at the First Congregational Church of Peru on Thursday from 4:00 PM – 7:00PM. Additional visitation will be in the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. The Hurst Funeral Home in LaSalle is entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Nave was born on August 13, 1925, in West Bend, IA to Virgil and Minnie (Jennings) Pape. She married James “Pete” Arthur Nave, Jr. on September 5, 1947. She worked at Hobb’s in Spring Valley with the love of her life until her retirement. For many years, Jean could be found tending to the animals on their farm in Triumph. She was famous for her homemade noodles and delicious meals. No one ever left her table hungry. She truly enjoyed her large family that filled their farmhouse with laughter. After retirement, Jean took on the role of caring for her beloved grandchildren. She enjoyed playing slot machines, trips to the boat with her sisters and brother, scratch off tickets, penny poker every Sunday and reading. Coming from a large family herself, nothing brought her greater joy then having her entire family together. There was a standing joke amongst her grandchildren and nieces as to who was her favorite while she made sure they knew they all were. Jean was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Mrs. Nave is survived by six children Virgil (Dalia) Nave of Peru, David (Lolita) Nave of Peru, Dale (Teresa) Nave of Bureau Junction, Karen (Dale) Ammons, Johnie (Nida) Nave of Utica, and James (Wanda) Nave of Corning, Arkansas; twenty-seven grandchildren; seventy-six great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren; one sister Florence Johnson of Springfield.
She was preceded in death by her husband Pete on December 27, 2003; one daughter Joan Ann Nave on January 20, 2022; a granddaughter Jeanie Marie Nave; three sisters Evelyn Miers, Patricia Nave, and Mildred Harms; one brother Eugene “Butch” Pape.
Pallbearers will be Eric Bernabei, Patrick Nave, David Nave Jr., Paul Nave, Steven Nave, Dale Nave Jr., and Gary Garncarz.
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