Geraldine “Geri” Pavlicek, 84, Dickinson, died on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Geri’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 7, 2024 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Robert Shea as celebrant. Inurnment will take place at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Bob Stockert presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Geraldine McLaughlin was born on April 10, 1940 in Hazen, the daughter of Joseph and Alvina (Heihn) McLaughlin. She was the fourth of five children and grew up on the family farm in Hazen, where she was also educated. She went on to attend Dickinson State College where she earned her two year teaching certificate, whereafter she taught in Mercer County rural schools from 1959 to 1963.
Geri was united in marriage to Donald Pavlicek on February 23, 1963 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Hazen. They made their home in Dickinson, where they were blessed with four boys: Greg, Jim, Mike and Dan. Geri proudly worked as a department head for Kmart for 27 years until her retirement in 2005.
One of Geri’s greatest joys were her grandchildren. She was a very devoted grandma, spending as much of her time with them as she could. She faithfully attended as many of their sporting events and other activities as possible, even traveling when she could to see those who lived far away. She had a great love for animals of all kinds, and they, in turn, were always drawn to her. She even use to pick the buckeyes off her tree and bring them to the NDSU Experiment Station to feed them to the squirrels. She enjoyed reading and always had a supply of books on hand, and she also enjoyed working on challenging puzzles. She was very active and could often be found walking around the Community Center pathway or on the trails at the Experiment Station. She was also very social and enjoyed her coffee dates with her friends. She loved to cook and bake for her family and friends, and will be remembered for her chocolate pie every Thanksgiving Day.
Geri was a devout Catholic and was very active in her church, St. Wenceslaus. She attended Daily Mass and was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever she was asked, including helping with the church decorating, heading up a church circle, working for the Spring Festival in many areas, and counting the donations every Monday. She was member of St. Ann’s Altar Society and the Catholic Daughters of America. She was also a faithful volunteer at St. Benedict’s Health Center for many years.
Geri loved life and always tried to look on the bright side of things. Even after her stroke, she never gave up and persevered until the end. She had a big, bright smile and that distinctive little chuckle that we will always remember.
Geri is survived by her sons, Greg (Janice) Pavlicek, Bettendorf, IA, Jim (Tracey) Pavlicek, Dickinson, and Mike (Stefanie) Pavlicek, Shakopee, MN; her eleven grandchildren, Mariah (Gavin) Weber, Shea (Allie) Pavlicek, Katie (Nick) Klug, Kelli (Sam) Saville, Abby Pavlicek, Ashley Pavlicek, Matt Pavlicek, Mikaela (fiancé, Patrick Taylor) Pavlicek, Elizabeth Pavlicek, Ava Pavlicek, and Ella Skretteberg; six great-grandchildren, Jensen, Emerson, Sutton, Porter, Eloise, and Mykah; sisters-in-law, Marceal McLaughlin, Hazen, Pat McLaughlin, Dickinson, and Eileen Berntson, Valley City.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, on June 23, 1985; her youngest son, Dan, on April 3, 2001; her parents, Joseph and Alvina McLaughlin; her siblings, Kathy (Harold) Beck, Joe McLaughlin, Jim McLaughlin, and Tom (Vesta) McLaughlin; and her in-laws, Edward and Beatrice Pavlicek.