Geraldine May Orso

On Feb.14, 2025 we lost our precious Sister, Aunt, and friend, Geraldine (Geri) May Orso. Geri was born at home in rural Gillespie, IL to Walter and Thelma (Sandahl) Ryan. Part of a large family, she was the third of four daughters, followed by four brothers.

Geri’s elementary years were spent walking three miles every day to the one room school house she attended, where she often was responsible for building the fire before the teacher arrived. She excelled academically throughout her career, spending her High School career at Gillespie HS before continuing her education at Eastern Illinois University.

While attending college, a blind date set up by her brother-in-law resulted in Geri meeting her soulmate, Don Orso. Don and Geri were wed on September 11, 1954 and enjoyed 66 years of marriage. All those who came in contact with Don and Geri were blessed by their beautifully unique and loving relationship.

The first 33 years of their marriage they lived in Ferguson, MO, a suburb of St. Louis, where Geri spent a 26-year career with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing. Utilizing her computer expertise, Geri soon became a lead trainer, often working with and preparing astronauts for their missions. She fondly remembered working with Neil Armstrong. During this time, Don and Geri also demonstrated a deep love and commitment to their families, personally taking care of all four parents.

In their free time Don and Geri became expert hikers, always looking for the next peak to summit. They made annual trips to the Ozarks as well as Colorado to hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, where they also spent several months volunteering as hosts during early retirement. Their love for the mountains and outdoors resulted in them purchasing 10 acres while visiting family in Noxon in 1979. Their annual visits finally resulted in them building their forever home on the land on Pilgrim Creek. They continued to enjoy their love for the mountains, spending as much time as possible outdoors, including spending a summer volunteering as fire lookouts on Star (Squaw) Peak. Their garden and flowers were a point of pride; Geri couldn’t wait for the annual Spring Seed Catalog to arrive. Geri had myriad interests and talents; she could identify every species of tree on her many walks among nature. She also took up woodworking through classes at the local High School, and built the kitchen table that she and Don ate at every day. Geri’s love of the outdoors could also be seen in her amazing photography, which she also turned into beautiful cards given to loved ones. Don and Geri were also avid birdwatchers, traveling the country in search of their next feathered friend.

Geri carried herself with class and style, and was a beautiful woman both inside and out. All her varied hobbies and interests brought her joy, but nothing compared to the 66 amazing years she spent with Don. Both shared a deep faith in the Lord, and were active students and enduring members of the Noxon Catholic Church. Geri was deeply loved, and her loss leaves a hole in all our hearts and lives, however we find it fitting she left on Valentine’s Day to be with her Lord and reunited with her beloved Don. Geri is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Orso; parents, Walter and Thelma Ryan; sisters, Florence (Oli) Moscardelli and Doris Adcock; brothers, Tom Ryan and Bruce Ryan. Geri is survived by her Sister Ruth (Dick) Gobble of Heron; brothers Milo (Pam) Ryan of Byhalia, MS and Dennis (Judy) Ryan of Collierville, TN as well as many, many loving nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday March 1st at 11:00 am MST at the Noxon Mission (Noxon Methodist Church). The internment will follow at Noxon Cemetery, with lunch provided after at the Noxon Fire Hall (Desserts welcomed).