Cullen K. Geist June 1, 1949 – November 24, 2010
Cullen graduated from Mount Ayr Community high school and Northwest Missouri State University. He played football in high school, college and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
On June 19, 2004 Cullen married Becky Shoemaker and enjoyed a marriage filled with joy, laughter, sports, singing and dancing.
He managed several businesses before becoming president of Geist Distributing in Des Moines.
Cullen never met a stranger who didn’t quickly become a friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation was held at Westover Funeral Home, 6337 Hickman Road, on Sunday, November 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. A private family service was conducted by the Greek Orthodox Church on Monday, November 29, at 10 a.m. at the Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life service followed at 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 301 W. Madison, Mount Ayr, Iowa, with interment following at Rosehill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
Music was provided by Collus Lawhead and Jane Thomas. Eulogies were given by Wayne Woolsey, Phil Wainwright, Cullen Blaine Geist and Adriene (Geist) Rathbun. Memories of Cullen were read by Randy Rathbun.
Pallbearers were Mike Beech, Bob Foster, Ron Rainey, Randy Rathbun, Richard Tate, Kay Thomas, Tim Trausch, Phil Wainwright, Ed Weidner and Wayne Woolsey. Honorary pallbearers were Jeffrey Chapman, Ben Farha, Skuyler Farha, Todd Farha and Mark Farha.
Cullen was proceeded in death by his father, Carroll ‘Lefty’ Geist and his wife, Donna Harrington Geist. Survivors are his wife Becky Shoemaker-Geist of West Des Moines, his mother Cleola Geist of Mount Ayr, his children Cullen Blaine Geist of Los Angeles, Adriene (Randy) Rathbun of Wichita, his brother Crae (Jodie) Geist of Mount Ayr, his nieces Sarah and Kelsey Geist of Mount Ayr, his cousin ‘little sister’ Deanna (Tim) Trausch of Urbandale and many other family and friends.
A memorial has been established in his name for the Mount Ayr Community School weight room (Cullen Geist Memorial). Contributions may be mailed to: Mount Ayr Community School, c/o Jodie Geist, 1001 E. Columbus, Mount Ayr, IA 50854.
