Geraldine Louise Gonzales

August 22, 1925 - May 29, 2019

Geraldine Louise Gonzales passed away peacefully at her home in Norwalk of 52 years, with her family by her side on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 7:19 PM. She was 93 years young.

Geraldine was born in Sibley, Iowa in 1925 to Lloyd and Mary Jane Shapley. She grew up with her three brothers, Harold, Leland (Lee), and Lloyd (Pete) Jr. and her two sisters, Bonnie and Mary Lou. Her mother died when she was eight, and she learned how to cook, sew, crochet and knit from her father where she also watched over her favorite dog Sandy, the house & farm. Her nicknames growing up were Sister and Jelly Bean and everyone today knew her as Geri.

She was married in 1943 to her first husband and had two sons, James Henry and Robert John. Robert lived to be 14 years old before his passing.

In 1951 Geri met the love of her life, Joseph (Joe) Gonzales, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. When Joe was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1949, they decided to move to California and were married on November 20, 1952. Without warning and with much surprise, their only daughter, Mary Katherine (Kathy), was born. They moved to Norwalk in 1967. With banana trees all over the property, they began their life in a place they would call home forever.

Geri belonged to several organizations, but when Joe was raised to Master Mason, this was a truly special moment in time. Geri then began her life journey in the Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, Order of White Shrine and the Ladies Oriental Shrine, and they had a new mission in life to enjoy the Masonic family together.

Geri loved life and was always smiling and making jokes. She leaves behind her daughter, Kathy Vukmanovich, son-in-law, Leo Vukmanovich, her grandchildren, Leo Vukmanovich Jr., Courtney Inbody, Robert Inbody and his wife Kendall Inbody, as well as her dog, Little Princess.

A private service will be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park where she will be “together forever” with her husband, Joe.