Geraldine Taft

Geraldine Taft
Bicknell, Utah

Geraldine Poulsen Taft, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away at age 80, in her home in Bicknell, Utah on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

Geraldine was born June 30, 1941 to the late Leo and Rachel Morrey Poulsen.  She was raised in Richfield, Utah.  She was blessed to grow up surrounded by many friends, cousins, and grandparents nearby.  She graduated from Richfield High School.  She then attended Southern Utah University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.  During the summer, she worked at Fish Lake Lodge where she met her husband, Milton Taft.  They were married June 15, 1963 in the Manti Temple.

Geraldine was a loving, dedicated elementary teacher for 30 years.  She taught kindergarten and first grade at Loa Elementary.  She loved the students she taught and treated them as if they were her own.  She loved working with the faculty and staff and had many close friends there that she loved and admired.

Geraldine served in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of her greatest blessings was serving in the Manti, Utah Temple as an ordinance worker. She loved serving alongside her husband, Milton.  She made many close, lifelong friends as she served in the temple.

Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest joys.  Geraldine was a refined lady. She was known for her beauty and style.  She loved her home in Bicknell.  She enjoyed planting flowers, cooking, and cleaning her home.  She will be remembered as a devoted wife, caring mother and grandmother, teacher, and loyal friend.

She is survived by her husband, Milton Lee Taft; her sister, Lorraine Shipp; children: Lee (Katrina) Taft, Patrice (Kelly) Taft Nielsen, and Julie (Ken) Taft Starkey Cranmer; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Geraldine is preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Rachel Morrey Poulsen; infant brother, Stan Lee Poulsen; son-in-law, Christopher Joel Starkey; brother-in-law, Jack Shipp.

Funeral services will be Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the Thurber Ward Church where friends may call from 10:00 a.m -12:30 p.m.  Interment will follow in the Bicknell City Cemetery.  Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com