Recent gifts from the estates of Curly and Betty Geer and Naomi Nelson will help strengthen the community and families for years to come through the work of the YMCA.
The Don Sjogren Community YMCA is grateful to announce a gift of $70,735 from the Geers and a gift of $15,789 from Naomi Nelson.
“These are very generous gifts, and they will help strengthen the YMCA’s ability to serve the community through programs that make a positive impact on children and families and the overall health of the community,” YMCA Executive Branch Director Janell Brown said.
Both the Geers and Naomi Nelson had prearranged that gifts be given to the YMCA after their deaths.
Supporting Community
Curly and Betty’s son, Kelly, said community was important to his parents.
“I know the Y was very important to them because it was a big part of the community,” Kelly said. “They just felt they were very fortunate so they wanted to do whatever they could to give back to the community.”
Curly was born on a farm south of Atlanta in 1927. After his service in the U.S. Army, he owned and operated Rite Way (Milk) Transfer for 57 years. He died in December 2012.
His wife, Betty, who was originally from North Platte, worked as a laboratory technician at the Brewster Clinic. She died in April 2018 at the age of 89.
Both Betty and Curly were active members of the Don Sjogren Community YMCA. During preparations to open the new YMCA building in 2006, Curly was the first person to volunteer to help move boxes and furniture from the “old Y” to the new location on Broadway Street.
Betty enjoyed the YMCA’s morning Water Wake-Up class, where she found exercise to keep her active and mobile and a sense of belonging with the other class participants.
Local Mission Work
Naomi’s granddaughter Jessica Sundquist said mission work was important to her grandmother, who died in January at age 89. Naomi enjoyed hearing about all of the activities her grandchildren participated in at the YMCA from soccer and swim lessons to visiting Santa and decorating pumpkins.
Naomi lived her entire life on Phelps County. She worked as a nurse’s aide at the Phelps County Memorial Hospital and enjoyed life on the farm with her husband, Wayne. Jessica said although her grandma wasn’t a member of the YMCA, she always encouraged an active lifestyle through gardening and yard work and walking for exercise.
Giving to the YMCA is a way that Naomi could support the mission of building stronger kids, families and communities close to home.
“I hope it’s a gift that can grow and help lots of people,” Jessica said.
Both gifts were placed in the YMCA’s endowment fund where they will create financial sustainability for the YMCA’s future.
Heritage Club
The Geers were members of the YMCA’s Heritage Club, which is comprised of individuals and families who are committed to making a current or future gift to the YMCA Endowment Fund. The fund provides the YMCA with a stable financial base and greater future growth potential. Gift options may include naming the YMCA as a beneficiary of an insurance or IRA account, charitable trusts and outright gifts.
If you would like more information about the Heritage Club and how you can leave a legacy to the community through the YMCA, please contact Executive Director Janell Brown at the YMCA at (308) 995-4050.
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