Galen Geiser

Galen D. Geiser passed away on December 14, 2006 at a local retirement center. He was born on January 18, 1927 to Walter J. and Lilly Pearl Geiser in Topeka, Kansas. Galen graduated in 1945 from Seaman High School, but left before graduation to join the Navy and serve in World War II. Upon his return, he graduated from Washburn University with a degree in business, then from Emporia State University with a degree in counseling psychology, and pursued his PhD. at Kansas State University. Galen began his career as a pressman at the Topeka State Journal. He then began working for the Veterans Administration Hospital in veteran's benefits at the V.A. Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, California. He became assistant director at the Sioux Falls, South Dakota V.A. Hospital, returning to Topeka in 1982 to become assistant director at this facility. He retired in 1986. He married Betty J. Taylor in 1950. They were divorced. He had two daughters, Gaylene Dibbern and Kimberly Dixon. He later married Marcia Gostwick Monahan. They were divorced. Galen was instrumental in the establishment of the American Legion Post #400, he was a member of the Golden Rule Lodge #90, and was a member of Seaman Congregational United Church of Christ for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Donald Geiser and Merrill Gene Geiser. He is survived by his daughters, Gaylene Dibbern and Kimberly Dixon (Tim), son-in-law Darrell Dibbern, granddaughters Amy Beck (Mike), Lindsay Wilson (John), Ashley Soper (Matt), great-grandson, Alex Beck and dear friend Jim Stanley. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 17 at the Brewster Place Health Center, Fink Living Room at 1:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held on Monday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel's Cemetery at 6th and Gage where military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post #400. Galen will lie in state after 12:00 noon Sunday, December 17 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care 200 SW Frazier Cir. Topeka, Kansas 66606 or Brewster Place Health Care Center 1001 SW 29th Topeka, Kansas 66611. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabel.com.