Geraldine Margaret Roels, age 99, a veteran Wisconsin elementary educator who began her career as a one-room school teacher, died Sunday, July 26, 2009 at her Oshkosh home under the care of Affinity Hospice Services with her son Robert at her side. Geraldine was born July 11, 1910 in Elo, Wisconsin to the late Thomas Pierce and Myrtie (Thrall) Griffiths.

Her first teaching assignment was in Poygan, where for five years she taught 45 children in eight grades at a yearly salary of $75. She was inspired by her own one-room school teacher who boarded with her parents at their farm home in Elo. After earning a teaching diploma from Oshkosh State Teachers College, she taught in Iola, Wisconsin where she met Wesley Roels, the principal, whom she married three years later. They moved to Oshkosh in 1943 when Mr. Roels joined the faculty at Oshkosh Teachers College. After Wesley's death in 1956, she taught sixth grade at Dale School for 14 years. She also taught fifth grade at Read School.

Since the 1940's, she was a tireless worker at First Congregational Church, Oshkosh, where she was president of the Women's Fellowship for many years, taught Sunday school and organized the all-church bazaar. Her church work began at an early age in the Elo Methodist Church, where at age 15 she prepared and served a dinner for the youth of the congregation. She also was active in Masonic circles. She was a member of Eastern Star, Job's Daughters, Bethel Shrine, 20th Century Club, and PEO, serving as an officer in all of the above organizations. She enjoyed bridge and played it into her ninety's.

She is survived by her son Robert Roels of Oshkosh, daughter Jane (William) Nachtrab of Sylvania, Ohio; grandchildren: Laurie (Jay) Roy, Susan (David) Steiner, Martin Gleespen, Michael (Abney) Gleespen, Susan (Edward) Gleespen Mattimoe and Patrick (Melissa) Gleespen. Also surviving are 14 great-grandchildren. Her husband Wesley Roels died in 1956, son Richard in 1995, and daughter Harriet Hendershot in 1997. A brother also preceded her in death.

Funeral service for Mrs. Roels will be held at 1:00PM, Thursday, July 30, 2009 at First Congregational Church, 137 Algoma Boulevard with Reverend Christine Stack officiating. A time of visitation and sharing of memories will take place on Wednesday, July 29, from 3-7pm at Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Park. The family requests memorials be made to First Congregational Church, Affinity Hospice Services, 816 West Winneconne Avenue, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956, or Bethel Shrine, N5538 Glacier Court, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 54935. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.comto send online condolences to the family.