Geneva “Gen” O’Neil Greager

Geneva Greager, Gen to those who knew her, passed away April 27, 2024.

Gen was born in Missoula, Montana on October 13, 1928 to James and Mabel O’Neil. She attended St. Anthony’s Parochial School for grades 1-8, spent her freshman year at Sacred Heart Academy, then moved to Missoula County High School where she graduated in 1946. During her senior year she worked as a telephone operator, a job she remembered fondly.

After a couple quarters at the University of Montana Gen decided to move to Richland, Washington where her sister Beth lived. She moved into a dormitory on Knight Street (W-11), where she first roomed with one of her best friends from high school, and then two others. She worked as a file clerk for G.E., and later as a clerk in a machine shop on the Hanford Site.

Gen met Wally Greager in 1948 at a cafeteria across from the post office where she and her friends often hung out to “people watch” and talk. They found out Wally

had a membership card for the American Legion and someone else had a car, so off they all went! Two years later, on September 9, 1950, Gen and Wally were married in Christ the King Church in Richland.

Upon returning from their honeymoon in San Francisco, they moved to Cheney so that Wally could earn a business degree at Eastern Washington College of Education. They spent their first couple months of “wedded bliss” in an 18-foot trailer that was a block from the nearest bathroom and shower. Fortunately, married student housing opened up in Hudson Hall where they lived until Wally’s graduation in 1951. During this time Gen earned a PHT (Putting Hubby Through) by working as a secretary to the principal of the elementary school.

Gen and Wally welcomed their first child in 1954, then three more children, one every two years until their family was complete. She stopped working outside the home before her first child and did not return to the workforce until her last child was in college when she worked for the Washington Public Power Supply System as a library clerk for 10 years. However, those years at home were anything but restful. Being the primary caregiver for four children while her husband worked, which often involved travel, kept Gen busy, especially once the family moved to the Greager Ranch—five-and-a-half acres along the Yakima River. Whether it was rounding up cattle that had escaped through a broken fence (which always seemed to happen when Wally wasn’t home) or mowing a pasture to convert it to lawn, Gen took it all in stride. Her children didn’t realize it at the time, but she was a super hero in her day.

Following retirement, Gen and Wally enjoyed traveling—one of their favorite places was their condo at Lake Chelan. During summer the condo was filled with their children and grandchildren’s voices, and during the winter they enjoyed the peacefulness of the offseason. They also loved their home along the Yakima River and spent many summer evenings on their deck listening to the crickets and watching the nighthawks soar.

In the late 1990s macular degeneration began to rob Gen of her eyesight, eventually causing her to become legally blind. Unfortunately, she had other

serious health issues in quick succession, including getting both knees replaced at the same time. However, as in the past, she showed a Montanan’s true grit and was back on her feet and enjoying Lake Chelan with her family within a few short months, rarely using a cane.

After leaving the Greager Ranch behind and living in Kennewick for 10 years, Gen and Wally eventually moved into Parkview Estates where Wally passed away in 2016 and Gen remained until her passing.

Gen was preceded in death by Wally, her husband of 66 years; infant son Thomas James; her parents; all of her siblings; and many dear friends. She is survived by sons Eric (Gail); Tim (Serena); and Tony (Kaye); daughter Lisa Woehle (Nick); grandchildren Shaun (Rachel); Andrew (Erin); Ryan; Amanda; Brittany (Matthew); Anna (Benjamin); Kevin; and nine great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

Gen’s family would like to thank the staff at Parkview Estates for their care and patience these past 15 years. A funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Church on Friday, June 7 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Gen’s name to your favorite charity.