Patrick Geenen

Patrick John Geenen entered Eternal Life October 26, 2011, the twelfth child of Henry R. Geenen and Gladys Catherine (McCormick) Geenen. He was born in Freedom on April 5, 1933. Patrick attended Saint Nicholas Elementary School. Henry and Gladys Geenen and the children attending St. Nicholas School went to Mass every morning before the school day began. A Catholic education was a priority in the Geenen family. The tradition of a Catholic elementary education was handed on to the next generation. Patrick and Ceil's daughters attended St. Pius X in Appleton and St. Nicholas in Freedom.
In Second grade Patrick became a Mass Server. His Latin responses were crisp and clear. He considered it an honor and privilege to serve at the altar. Whenever a server was needed, Patrick would be called and his response was "I'll be right there, Sister".
Patrick had a beautiful voice which Sister Rosaire, SSND and later, Sister Charlene, SSND recognized and he was immediately recruited for leadership in the boys' choir. The choir sang for special occasions: Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, 40 Hours Devotion, to name only a few.
Patrick came from a farm family and he enjoyed the seasons; seeding, planting, cultivating, harvesting and plowing. On the farm he worked with chickens, turkeys, cows, pigs, sheep and horses. He enjoyed going to the horse races and county fairs with the family. At harvest time neighbors came together to help with the threshing of the grain. Patrick enjoyed the camaraderie, the work, the fun and the delicious meals which the women had prepared. When the threshing at one farm was completed, the neighbors moved the machinery to the next farm. It was a time of sharing and helping-the normal expression of a Christian community.
As a child and student, Patrick learned to love of God and country and he would proudly raise the flag each morning and take it down at the close of each school day. He learned many patriotic songs and religious hymns from his school days at Saint Nicholas. He learned all the hymns to Our Lady, which he remembered and sang frequently all his life. He had a CD of Marian Hymns and one CD on praying the Rosary, which he listened to when he would be alone in the car, waiting for family members and friends who needed a ride from work, school, appointments and shopping.
After his schooling, Patrick spent many years with Acme Tree Service. During his employment with Acme, he learned all aspects of the "Tree Business"; the details of planting trees, shrubs, perennials and hedges and he was a "Natural at it". He learned trimming, cabling, tree and stump removal and landscaping. Patrick had the agility of a squirrel and thoroughly enjoyed his work. He was a licensed fully insured tree specialist. While working for Acme Tree Service, Patrick met and married Cecilia Mae Collier. They had six daughters. Patrick decided to go into business for himself and started "Geenen's Tree Service" year round service: tree trimming, topping and shaping, tree removal, stump grinding, mulching, planting, insect and disease control, pruning, cable bracing and lot clearing. Patrick did emergency work; snow removal for residential, commercial, municipal and industrial businesses, always offering affordable prices. Patrick was masterful in his art and possessed a sense of humor. He worked in the Fox Valley area for many years.
Patrick enjoyed his family and attended all their functions: baptisms, First Communions, confirmations, graduations, weddings and the celebrations that followed. Many birthday parties, every Thanksgiving and every Christmas the entire family-children and grandchildren gathered at the home of Patrick and Ceil. Football games, movies accompanied by the usual treats were enjoyed by all. The six daughters and their mother always prepared the home with appropriate decorations, amenities and delicious homemade foods.
He enjoyed life-baseball, football, (especially the Packers) boxing, wrestling, bicycling, horseback riding, music, dancing and singing.
Having great devotion to Our Lady all his life, Patrick's retirement years gave him the opportunity to join Our Lady's Rosary Makers, located in Louisville, Kentucky. This avocation brought Patrick and his wife, Cecilia, many faith filled hours devoted to making Mission Rosaries for the missions. Patrick has made thousands of rosaries which have been sent to Irondale, Alabama; Tampa, Florida; Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Wichita, Kansas; Vietnam; Haiti; West Orange, New Jersey; with destinations Italy, India and Africa. Patrick received thank you notes and letters from numerous dioceses, Sisters, Priests, Deacons, and Lay People who were recipients of his labor of love. Rosaries were distributed to missionaries and to the diocesan programs and events. Hundreds of the rosaries Patrick had artistically crafted were sent to Vietnam as First Communion Rosaries for the children. His Catholic Mission of Evangelization promoted the devotion to Our Lady and the recitation of the Rosary. Patrick and his wife, Ceil were featured in the bi-monthly newsletter of Our Lady's Rosary Makers, November/December 2007, Our Lady's Messenger.
Survivors include his wife, Cecilia; daughters: Patricia (Brian) Wickesberg, Margaret (Jeff) Wagner, Mary (Dan) Gruper, Elizabeth (Rick) Reavis, Alice (Todd) Rasmussen, Cecilie (Sean) Johnson; grandchildren: Jacob and Jennifer Wickesberg, Stephen and Sean Wagner, Katelin and Jacob Gruper, Megan and Dylan Reaves, Daemyen and Dominic Johnson; brother, John; sisters: Sister Mary James, Sister Timothy, Sister Rosemarie; friends, co-workers and relatives.
Patrick was preceded in death by his parents: Henry R. Geenen and Gladys Catherine (McCormick) Geenen; brothers: Rev. James J. Geenen, Joseph E. Geenen, Henry R. Geenen, Jr., William T. Geenen; sisters: Mary (Geenen) Fox, Sister Rosalyn.
Friends may call at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Freedom on Friday, October 28, 2011 from 10: 00 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon, with Father Jerry Pastors officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com
Muehl -Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour is assisting the family.