Geneva Dibble

GENEVA DIBBLE was born on September 3, 1930 to Elmer and Lillian (Ekern) Argetsinger in Pipestone, Minnesota where she was raised and received her education. After her graduation from Pipestone High School, she worked as the bookkeeper and cashier for Silverberg's Department Store in Pipestone. On November 11, 1949, she was united in marriage to Merle Dibble at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone and raised their family there. Geneva’s caregiver personality, organizational qualities and loving spirit made managing a busy household challenging but Geneva faced the challenges with her enduring smile and unending patience that was deeply appreciated by her family and our memories are abundant. Together Geneva and Merle enjoyed traveling domestic and internationally. They were long standing Minnesota Vikings ticket holders. Their lives were busy raising a family, attending their children’s various activities, but found time for social activities. Geneva enjoyed playing golf, entertaining with friends, her special ladies bridge club, was a fabulous cook and seamstress. They enjoyed leisure time at their Mesa Arizona home also. On June 17, 1998, Merle preceded her in death. After his death, Geneva was blessed to have found joy again when she reunited with a high school friend, Leo Berning. They shared the love of dance, winters in warmer climates, trips to the casinos and enjoyed the serenity and beauty of lake front living. Geneva died at her home in Alexandria on February 21, 2012 at the age of 81 years, five months and 18 days.

Geneva was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone where she served as circle chair and was an active Catholic Daughter for 60 years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Mrs. Jaycees. She volunteered as a 4-H leader, and she served for 13 years as the secretary of the Country Club. She was president of the Lady Golfers and served on the Ladies Golf Committee for 25 years. She worked on the remodeling committee when the new club house was built at the country club in 1970. She served three years on the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Pipestone. She volunteered her time at the Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels. She worked at the city elections for many years. She served on the informational committee when the city was pursuing the vocational school for Pipestone. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society, and she was on the Board of Directors for the Pipestone County Historical Society.

She is lovingly remembered by her six children, Thomas Dibble and his wife Margaret of Pipestone, Minnesota, Mary Dibble of Louisville, Colorado, Robert Dibble of Louisville, Colorado, Teresa Wieler of Circle Pines, Minnesota, Judy Wallerich and her husband David of Marshall, Minnesota, and Michael Dibble of St. Cloud, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one sister, Barb McMullen of Jackson, Wyoming. She was preceded in death by her husband; two daughters, Susan Beal and Ann Tibbetts; one grandson, Christopher Tibbetts; her parents; and one brother, Donald Argetsinger. Geneva is also remembered by her loving companion Leo Berning of Alexandria, Minnesota, his three children, LeAnn Persinger and her husband Joe of Denver, North Carolina, Bonnie Burak and her husband Steve of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Betsy Peterson and her husband Scott of Windsor, Colorado and nine grandchildren.