Geneva Julene Mollenhauer

Geneva Julene Mollenhauer, age 96, of Crosby passed away peacefully November 18, 2023 in her sleep.  She was born January 23, 1927 to John and Henrietta (Van Heel) Olmschenk at home in Staples, MN.

She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, graduated from Staples High School and the New York Hairdressing Academy in Fargo, ND.  In 1948 she married Douglas Seeley.  They had four children, Keith, Julie, Janie and Kraig.  In 1954, she opened a beauty shop in their home.  As life changed, Gen worked afternoons at the Cuyuna District Hospital as a nurse’s aide, coming home to afternoon appointments in her beauty shop.

In 1971, she married Victor Mollenhauer, moved to Owatonna, MN and gained three more daughters, Judy, Jeanne and Vicki.  She waitressed at Jerry’s Supper Club until the early 90’s.  Not one to be idle, she became a Tupperware dealer traveling all over Minnesota.

After Vic died, Gen returned to Crosby in 1995 and worked at TJ’s Riverside Family Restaurant.  She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a lifetime member of Owatonna VFW Post 3723, Ironton American Legion, and Red Hat Ladies.  Volunteering was dear to her heart, especially at the Care Center delivering mail or assisting with resident outings.  “Have Keyboard, will travel” found her playing music for area senior groups and the Care Center.

Her greatest fulfillments were preparing meals and feeding her kids and any neighborhood kids hanging around.  She baked homemade bread three times a week and made the most delicious cinnamon rolls every weekend for coffee company after playing cards. Gen also had a passion for quilting/crafting with friends, working puzzles.   Holidays and birthdays were always full of family, friendship, laughter, and a bit of advice.  She was a proud Blue Star Mother, and participated in many events and parades honoring our veterans.

Gen is survived by two sons, Keith (Rose) Seely, Crosby, Kraig (Leslie) Seely, Deerwood; Three daughters, Judy (Charles) Gilman, Carmichael, CA, Julene (Richard) Matthies, Arvada, CO and Crosby, and Janell (Thomas) Stanton, Crosby; 18 grandchildren (Jess, Allison, Cole, Sherri, Vicki, Stephanie, Brittany, Katharyn, Jenie, Tamara, Vincent, Matthew, Billie, Michael, Michele, Jessica, Hannah and Kelly), 35 great grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Victor; her parents; siblings Oliver Olmschenk, Lucile Nichols, Irene McGillivray, and daughters, Jeanne Mollenhauer and Vickie Weinzetl.

The family would like to say a special Thank You to the CRMC Care Center staff and Moment’s Hospice for their care.

A Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby.  A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.