HUDSON, Geneva

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted on November 17, 2013 - On November 10, 2013, Geneva Ware Hudson passed away at Expressions Prestige Assisted Living. She was ready to dance with her sweetheart again. Geneva was born March 2, 1920, during a blizzard at Caddo, Oklahoma to Louis Ben and Clara (Bennett) Ware. She moved countless times during her childhood, with her family finally settling in Loveland, Colorado in 1932. Geneva graduated from Loveland High School in 1938. She started her professional career as a clerk-typist with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in Fl. Collins, near Loveland. On Jan. 10, 1942 she traveled with friends to Cheyenne, Wyoming to a special U.S.O. dance. It was there that she met the love of her life, Army Pvt. Hearl Hudson. They danced the night away, winning both the jitterbug and waltz contests. By the end of the evening, as the dance band played “Stardust,” Hearl’s beautiful tenor voice whispered the lyrics in her ear. Then, he suddenly stopped dancing, looked into her eyes and said, “I am going to marry you.” On Sep. 29, 1942, following his receipt of a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, and with his family as witnesses, they were married in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Always on the move, Geneva and Hearl raised a family of three children, Larry, Bob, and Linda. Hearl’s career as an Army Officer took them to stations across the U.S., and to Japan and Germany. Geneva was a buyer for the Military Post Exchange Service in Japan and worked for the CIA in Berlin, Germany. During Hearl’s last unaccoompanied military assignment the family moved back to Loveland, where the children graduated from high school at their mother’s alma mater. Geneva went back to work for the Dept. of Agriculture in Ft. Collis until her retirement. In retirement, Geneva and Hearl continued the family tradition of travel, with over 20 years spent as fulltime Motor home “snowbirds” nested in Tucson during the winter and hitting the road in the summer months. Geneva did every bit of the driving, literally several hundred thousand-highway miles with Hearl as her navigator and sidekick. They bought a retirement home (without wheels) in Lake Havasu in 1997. Following Hearl’s death in 1999, she sadly sold the last rig, and her traveling years came to an end. Geneva became an active senior in Havasu, and was especially enthusiastic about the Desert Singles Social Club, where she made many dear friends and enjoyed dancing once again. She also was a member of the Eagles, Elks, and American Legion. Geneva is survived by her son Larry (Diana) Hudson of Lake Havasu City; Bob (Debbie) Hudson of Cheney, WA; Grandchildren Joe (KarlaRose) Erhard-Hudson of Moscow, ID, Dave (Gigi) Hudson of Forest Park, IL; Gage Hudson, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Cade (Tawnya) Hudson, Arlington, WA; Sharon (Kristopher) Meese, Spokane, WA; Step-grandsons Joseph (Amanda) Goetz, Spokane, WA; and Andrew Goetz (Beckah Smith) Spokane, WA; and 10 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her niece Carla Newman of Lake Havasu City along with 5 other nieces and 1 nephew. Her husband of 57 years, Hearl, her daughter Linda, and her three brothers, Sed, Lou, and Jim preceded Geneva in death. Geneva and Hearl’s ashes will soon join Linda’s in the Rocky Mountains not far from Loveland, where their adventures started. The family wishes to thank the employees, caregivers and volunteers at Prestige Assisted Living and Expressions and the staff and volunteers of Hospice of Havasu for her excellent care. All of you have been so kind and compassionate to Geneva and the family. Thank you for all your support. Geneva requested no services. At this time the family asks you to make time to be with and enjoy your elders, tell each other family stories, and maybe even grab your sweetheart and dance the next time you hear a beautiful song. Don’t pass up the opportunities you never know when you might be traveling on. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Havasu or a charity of choice.