Genevieve Vollum, 1913-2015

Published 9:30 am Friday, January 23, 2015

Funeral services for Genevieve “Gen” H. Vollum of Albert Lea will be at 2 p.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Revs. John Holt and Kent Otterman will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery in Albert Lea.

Genevieve Vollum

Genevieve Vollum

Genevieve died Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, 2015, at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea. She was 101.

Gen was born May 19, 1913, on her grandparent’s farm (John L. and Matilda Johnson) in Freeborn County. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1931 and St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1935. That year she began her teaching career in Kearney, Nebraska, teaching English and music.

Gen was united in marriage to Iner Odean Vollum Aug. 25, 1937, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Together they raised a family of three children, Nancy (1938), Jay (1941) and John (1949). She then taught school part-time in the Albert Lea school district until her retirement from teaching.

Gen loved to travel, having spent time in Europe, north Africa and Scandinavia. She wintered in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, with her husband for a number of years. Summers were spent at the family cabin at Leech Lake in Walker, where she loved to swim. For the last several years she lived at Bancroft Creek and Hidden Creek Good Samaritan residences.

She loved to sing and was an active member of the First Lutheran Church choir for 36 years. Gen was very adventuresome, learning to ride a bike at 50. She also enjoyed painting, poetry and was an AAUW lifetime member.

Gen is survived by her children Nancy and her husband, Steve Swanson, of Salt Lake City, Jay and his wife, Mickey Vollum, of Bloomington and John and his wife, Diane Vollum, of Carver; and grandchildren Eric Swanson, Scott (Jacki) Vollum, Matthew Vollum, Mason Vollum and Claire Vollum. There are three great-grandchildren, Abby Swanson, Grace Swanson and Kai Vollum. Also surviving is one brother, Carlyle (Jeanne) Lageson, of Albert Lea; several nieces and nephews; and loving goddaughter, Linda (Egge) Pederson.

Gen was preceded in death by her parents and husband.