Lula Genese Milversted

Lula Genese Milversted, 96, of Great Falls went to be with the Lord, and the love of her life, her husband Ray. A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Lula Genese Robinson Milversted was born in West Bend, Iowa on June 28, 1921 to Frances and Victor Robinson. She was the older sister to Harriet Robinson born in 1930. Genese helped to raise Harriet after the passing of their mom, Frances in 1932. Genese grew up being a care giver to her sister, the loss of her mother so young made Genese a wonderful and loving protector of her own four children. She was very active in her high school, playing on the girls basketball team and helping her Iowa high school team win state championship two years in a row. She broke the long family tradition of a teaching career to go into nursing. Her parents objected for fear of violations of moral protocol but as always, the independent and strong willed Genese moved to Chicago to begin her education and life long career as a nurse. She graduated and was certified as a Registered Nurse with a degree in psychiatric nursing. She used this training in her work at Mercy Hospital in Anamosa, Iowa and the County Convalescence Hospital in Great Falls where she retired in 1977. After her shifts at the hospital, she volunteered at a factory working to produce war materials to support our troops in Europe and the Pacific. She met her future husband, Ray, a decorated World War II soldier after his return from the war in Europe. They were married October 13, 1945 in Dubuque, Iowa and quickly decided upon starting a family. Michael Ray was born in 1947 followed by Margaret “Peggy” Ann in 1950, and Mark Alan 18 months later in 1952. Ray worked for International Harvester and when an opportunity arose, they moved the family to Great Falls in 1954. The fourth child, Patricia Marie was born in 1957. Genese returned to nursing to help support the family, but refused to sacrifice her family time so she worked the midnight shift so she could be home in time to get the kids ready for school. Her life was filled with the typical activities of kids, school events, basketball, wrestling, speech meets and following her strong faith in Our Lord, insisted her kids go to Catholic School. After raising kids, Ray and Genese retired and went to Hemet, CA for 27 years as snow birds. Wonderful times, many friends, and loved by so many. She was filled with love for her sister, husband, children, grandkids, great grandkids. Genese loved to travel and even months before she passed away wanted to fly to Iowa to visit her sister, Harriet. She also enjoyed playing cards and taking cruises. She is survived by her sister, Harriet (Lloyd) and their children, Vicky, Dixie, Terri, and Colleen of Des Moines, IA; son Mike (Meg); daughter Patty Spradlin; grandchildren Matthew (Peggy) Robert, Angela and Jonathan Rangel, Mark and Linda Milversted, Patrick, Brian, and Carrie Spradlin; great-granddaughters Alula Rae and Coris Ailia Spradlin; and Linda’s sister, Nancy and her niece, Lilli. There was a joyous reunion on December 8, 2017 when she went to heaven and saw Jesus and Ray who had passed away September 12, 2013. Mom missed him every day and they are now together forever.