Around Gene's 70th birthday last May, we tried to put together a book of memories that people from Gene's life had of times spent with him. Unfortunately, we were not able to get enough involvement to bring that about. STILL, we did get some memories: In late May, I was able to get Jeremy Goeke and Jaremy Scwarting in a chat with me. (For those who don't know, Rebecca is my niece/unofficial daughter; Jeremy is Rebecca's husband and Jaremy is Rebecca's son--one spelled JE and the other JA.) Jeremy D Goeke: It was father’s day one year ago when I got the greatest gift ever from my beautiful daughter Brittney. I was given two tickets to ride on a real steam engine. What made it better was I was able to ride it with Geneo. We haven't known each other that long but I don't think that I would have taken any one else. But I guess the one thing that I would like for Geneo to know is I thank God everyday for the time that I have had with him and I have been made a better person just because he is who he is. Jaremy Schwarting: When Brit asked Geneo if he wanted a brownie with or without almonds and he replied "female" it took Brit like ten minutes to figure out he was messing with her lol Jeremy D Goeke: Helen if you could you use a picture that has Gene and me along with a train in it thank you. JP, she is still trying to figure out which one is which Jaremy Schwarting: Or when I came over and saw that the taillight was broken on the Jeep, I asked what happened and he started laughing and said it wasn't his fault this time Jeremy D Goeke: Oh yeah the tree darn things will jump out in front if you every time Jeremy D Goeke: The time Helen sent Gene and I to Des Moines alone and when we left she said stay clean yeah that lasted about six blocks Jaremy Schwarting: My amazement in the fact that he would stay up until two in the morning playing Runescape with me and then wake up like five hours before me to start playing again Jeremy D Goeke: Yeah when we would buy out kfc hot wings man we could put them things away and we would watch Hawkeye football Jaremy Schwarting: Riding around Grinnell was always super exciting with Geneo cuz he is always pointing out what used to be here or there. The entire time unintentionally steering towards what he was pointing at, narrowly missing various objects, curbs, and sidewalks. Better than most roller coaster rides I've been on lol Jeremy D Goeke: Omg that is so true Helen Harriman-Oliver: ha ha, you two are NOT right... but that's why I love you! Jaremy Schwarting: I've probably have a hundred stories just like those lol Helen Harriman-Oliver: Keep going guys--and everyone else!--there must be so many times that you have spent with Gene that hold special memories for you. ______________________________________ Other memories that I received around that were: Nikki Jeanne Schwarting: Geneo and I always discussed that were just alike (: we both have soft hearts, cry easily and always laughed at each other jokes. There are times Aunt Helen and I would be talking and he would always say a joke or talk bout something other than our subject we would all burst out laughing. He tells us how much he loves Jaremy and I all the time! He never lets me leave unless I give him a hug (: were so glad to have you both in my lives! ♥ Brittney Schwarting-Pinkerton: I remember the 1st time I ever had brownies with him and I made the mistake to ask him what kind he wanted... plain or with nuts... and he said the male one... and I was totally lost... and in shock.. then he said do you get it it has nuts... Bryan Oliver: I don't remember the first time I met my dad I was only 1day old. I do remember every summer going on trips and seeing all kinds of great places. We went camping all the time and that was a blast. Jd Goeke: well, kiss a pig on the nose Nikki Jeanne Schwarting: I want to say for Geneo’s book.....every time jaremy and I visited Geneo always got excited to see us. Geneo is such a sweet, loving, happy guy! Never have I seen him unhappy. He always has his jokes and always smiles! He always told us he loved seeing jaremy and I happy and kept asking jaremy all the time when are you going to marry her (: The day I told him that we got engaged he was so excited and was so happy and especially when we told him that he was going to be Jaremy’s best man I saw tears running down his face and then I started crying! When Aunt Helen gave me money to get him fudge and oh man when I gave it to him his face lighted up! He will always have a place in my heart though and I will never forget all the memories and stories we shared! Jaremy and I love you soo much and we can’t wait to see u next month and have more memories wit you! ♥ Helen Harriman-Oliver ‎to Nikki Jeanne Schwarting: Oh, Nikki, this is beautiful! I just read it to Gene, and you guessed it... he is crying. My sweet, dear husband.