Geraldine "Geri" Lederer

Geraldine Ann Lederer, 69, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021. Geri was born June 1, 1951, in Topeka to Gerald and Patricia Slattery Cummings. She attended Assumption Grade School, graduated from Seaman High School in 1969, and from the Stormont Vail School of Nursing in 1972. In 1971, Geri and Edward Hawks were married and from that union two children were born; they later divorced. Geri and Kim “Pete” Peterson were married in 1984; he passed away in 2007. On December 22, 2008, Geri and James Lederer were united in marriage; he survives. Geri fulfilled her calling to nursing at Stormont Vail Hospital and then at St. Francis Hospital where she worked in the OR and helped set up the cardiac program. Moving to Escondido, California, she worked at Palomar Medical Center where she also helped set up their cardiac program. Returning to Kansas, Geri continued her calling by turning to home health nursing. She had a love of the elderly and it showed in the level of care, both personal and professional, that she lavished on them. At Kaw Valley Vo-tech, Geri was able to influence others studying nursing by teaching. Following a cancer diagnosis in 2017, Geri moved to The Healthcare Resort of Topeka, where after achieving remission, she continued to display her love of caring for others. Geri was an avid reader, especially of murder mysteries. She enjoyed knitting, gifting all her nieces and nephews with slippers. She loved the beach, going there frequently on Sundays after Mass while in California. She loved Pepsi, jelly beans, popcorn, crossword puzzles, Kansas Jayhawks basketball, singing and caring for others. But more than anything, she was proud of and loved her daughters, considering them her crowning achievement. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Grateful to have shared Geri’s life are her husband, Jim Lederer; daughters, Dr. Anne Hawks and Lara Geiken (Curtis); grandchildren, Peyten, Brett and Madison; her mother, Pat Cummings; siblings, Gordon Cummings (Terri), Sharon Duffens, Dr. Jill Hackett and Darryl Cummings (Gloria); eight nieces and nephews, two great-nieces and one great-nephew. Geri was also preceded in death by her grandparents and her father, Gerald Cummings. Visitation will be 10 a.m. Friday, January 8, at Mater Dei Holy Name Church, 1114 SW 10th Street, where the rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m.. Mass of Resurrection will follow at 11 a.m. in the Church. Due to the pandemic, masks and social distancing are required and Geri’s Mass will be live streamed on the funeral home Facebook page. Inurnment will take place at a future date in Shawnee Center Cemetery, Wakarusa KS. Memorial contributions may be made to Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, for a fund to be set up in Geri’s memory for scholarships benefitting nursing students. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Geraldine "Geri" Lederer

June 1, 1951 - January 1, 2021