Geneva Claybaker

Geneva Irene Claybaker, the daughter of Rex Franklin and Anna Mary (Webb) Keller, was born March 28, 1933 at home, on the farm in Kellerton, IA. Geneva graduated from Shannon City High School with the Class of 1951. Following high school, she attended Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, MO and earned her Teaching Certificate. Geneva then returned to Creston and began working as a Nurse Aide for the Creston Community Hospital. On June 3, 1956, Geneva married Ray Andrew Claybaker and four children were born to bless this union: Terri, Sandy, Rodney and Judy. Their growing family moved several times before settling in Afton in 1966. Geneva worked as a homemaker until all the children were in school and then worked for Eblen’s Nursing Home in Afton. In 1973, she began working for Creston Nursing & Rehab until her retirement in 2001. Following the death of her husband, Ray in 2002, Geneva would continue working part-time as the Activity Director until 2005.
Geneva had many interests and talents. She was a long-time member of the Union Squares, the South Side Boosters and the Afton United Methodist Church. She volunteered countless hours in the area nursing homes, the Creston hospital and her church. She also volunteered as a reading buddy for the East Union Elementary School. She was known for being very crafty and for being a good baker, especially her cinnamon rolls. Geneva loved her family and was a super mother who was always happy.
Preceding Geneva in death was her husband, Ray; a daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Jim Hall; a grandson, Shawn Hall and great-grandson, Ayden Claybaker; by her parents; two brothers: Emmett and Keith Keller and a sister-in-law, Frances Keller.
Left to cherish her memory are three children: Sandy (Mark) Downing of Orient, IA, Rodney Claybaker (significant other, Jeannie) of Thayer, IA and Judy (Doug) Tapken of Ozark, MO; five grandchildren: James (Gina) Hall of Afton, Chris (Misty) Claybaker of Creston, Sarah Claybaker (significant other, Jason) of Creston, Chelsea Tapken of Roland Park, KS and Cody Tapken of Springfield, MO; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Illa Mae Heslop of Creston; sister-in-law, Arlene Keller of St Louis, MO; numerous nieces, nephews other relatives; very special family friends, the Burger Family.