Geneva Provins

Geneva Marie (Young) Provins, 92, passed away of cancer on August 31, 2009 at Bozeman Lodge. She was born in Valentine, Nebraska on June 26, 1917. Geneva was preceded in death by her parents and her son Bob. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, William Robert Provins; her daughter Judy Walker her husband, Frank; six grandchildren, Doug Provins, Philip Provins and Eric Provins, all of San Diego, Mark Walker of Minneapolis, Kathryn Walker and Phillip Walker of Bozeman; and six great grandchildren, Robert, Ely, Sage, Carter, Cooper and Samantha. Geneva grew up in rural northern Nebraska in the sand hill country. She attended Chadron State College for two years and taught school in a one-room schoolhouse for several years near Gordon, Nebraska. She and Bill met in Couer d#8217;Alene, Idaho while Bill was in the US Navy during World War II. She always said, #8220;That sailor was the man for me.#8221; They were married on October 31, 1943. Since Bill was a career US Navy man, they lived all over the United States and raised two successful kids, Bob and Judy. Bob was a career Navy man and Judy was a Medical Technologist. When Bill retired from the US Navy in 1956, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where they lived for 50 years. Geneva was a civilian accounting technician for the US Air Force, while Bill worked at Sandia and Kirtland AFB in the commissary. They both retired in 1976. They were active members of St. Paul#8217;s Lutheran Church in Albuquerque for fifty years and moved to Bozeman in April 2007 to be close to their daughter, Judy and her family. Following retirement, they traveled in their trailer or motor home to all of the lower 48 states and almost all of the Canadian provinces. Besides a trip to Alaska, Hawaii, Rio de Janeiro and New Zealand, they loved to camp in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico and spent many weekends there. Geneva was a warm and caring person, who deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Bill called her #8220;my honey#8221; and they were always doing things together for their 66 years. He will miss her dearly. She enjoyed card games and helped invent the Provins Contract Rummy game, which the whole family enjoys. She was also a whiz at cribbage, getting three #8220;29#8221; hands in her lifetime. Geneva will be cremated and her ashes will be spread, eventually with Bill#8217;s, in the Jemez Mountains in New Mexico. The family wishes to express their gratitude and thanks for the many kindnesses shown during the past two months, especially by the many Bozeman Deaconess Hospice Program staffers and the Bozeman Lodge staff. A family memorial will be scheduled later.