Marily Geron

Marily Geron, 81, of Fargo, ND, formerly of Pelican Rapids, died unexpectedly on Monday, August 2, 2010. Marilyn Janice Poppie was born on November 3, 1928, in Grafton, ND, the daughter of Bill and Myrtle (Sjulli) Poppie. She graduated high school from Hope, ND, and attended Rush Presbyterian School of Nursing in Chicago. Marily’s hero was Florence Nightingale who was her inspiration throughout her incredible career. Marily began her career as a clinical instructor at St. Luke’s School of Nursing in 1960. During the next 14 years, she became Assistant Director of the School of Nursing and in 1975 she was named Director of Nursing for St. Luke’s Hospital. She was active in professional organizations on a local, state, and national level. She received several honors and awards such as Nurse of the Year for North Dakota Nurse’s Association in 1979, NDSNA Honorary Award for her outstanding contribution to Nursing in 1979, was recognized by the Aero Space Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, for being the first female participant in the Disorientation Program for pilots, and Nurse of the Year for Gate City Nurses Association in 1981. She was named Boss of the Year in 1985 by the Red River Chapter Professional Secretaries International. Marily held many roles in her career at St. Luke’s. She was named the first woman Vice President of Nursing in 1981 and was instrumental in introducing Life Flight to the F-M community. She was also active in implementing the associate degree program at North Dakota State and the external degree program at Moorhead State University. It was proclaimed on October 18, 1988, by the communities of West Fargo and Fargo as an official “Marily Geron Day” thanking her for a lifetime of service to others. Marily held a diploma from Presbyterian School of Nursing, Chicago and degrees in administration and education from North Dakota State University and a Master’s Degree in patient care administration from the University of Minnesota. Marily married Peter Geron, making their home in West Fargo where they raised their two children, Lynne and Craig. Upon their retirement, they made their home on Franklin Lake. All who came to their home were met with open arms and loving hearts. Marily was the most positive and upbeat person, always greeting everyone with a smile on her face. She will be greatly missed not only by her family but her many friends and colleagues whom she considered as family. Marily’s loving ways and kind heart inspired the family phrase “love you lots.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Geron. She is survived by her two children, Lynne (Jeff) Carlson and Craig (Jody) Geron; brother, Dr. Robert (Rose Marie) Poppie; grandchildren, Chad (Deb) Olson, Kris Olson, and Katie (Arlan) Koch, Tammy (Jamey) Berning, Jason Carlson; great-grandchildren, Kayleigh, Christian, Amanda, Brandon, Garyn, Tayler, Sophie, and Lily; and her beloved cat, Snowball. Memorial Service: Friday, August 6, 2010, at 11:00 AM, at Hope Lutheran Church – North Campus, Fargo, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church.