Gerry Klinglesmith

1940-2021

On October 18, 2021 at 12:30 p.m., Geraldine Francis Staehlin Klinglesmith left peacefully.

Gerry (never Geraldine!) was born August 18, 1940, in St. Louis, MO. She graduated from Clarke College (now Clarke University) in Dubuque IA, with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1962. After graduating, she followed Dan Klinglesmith to the University of Indiana where she received a Masters in Education. After marrying Dan in 1963, Gerry stayed home to raise four children. From 1982 Gerry taught middle school science for several decades in Montgomery County, MD, and – after retiring in 1995 – Socorro County, NM. After retirement, she continued to work and volunteer in various teaching and tutoring positions.

Rainbow, as she was known at camp, was a lifetime Girl Scout member since childhood. Between her work as a troop leader (with several troops across multiple states) and as the director of Brighton Woods Day Camp, she touched the lives of hundreds of girls and women. She loved joining in song, and never missed a “Still Singing After All These Years” event. Gerry traveled extensively as a Scout, visiting three of the World Centres, some with more than one troop.

Gerry met her husband Dan in high school, where she was dating Dan’s best friend. He won the right to ask her out in a poker game, using the excuse that they shared a birthday. Indeed, they shared more than just a birthday: married for 56 years, they raised four children of their own and were a home to many others. Gerry is survived by her children Dan Klinglesmith IV (Lauree), Chrissie (Ed) Devinney, Jimmy, and Michael (Kelly) Klinglesmith; her grandchildren Daniel Klinglesmith V, Nicholas Klinglesmith, Zachery Klinglesmith, Hannah Devinney and Liam Devinney; and her great-grandson Daniel Klinglesmith VI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Soccoro Rotary Foundation PO Box 972 Socorro, NM 87801. Please designate “Imagination Library” on the memo line.

El Defensor Chieftain