Obituaries : Rustin “Rusty” E. Geiger

Rustin "Rusty" E. Geiger, 47, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab, Vinton, following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 18, at First Chrisitan Church, Vinton, with Pastor Richard Jumper officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Thursday, at the church. Burial will be in Bear Creek Cemetery, Vinton.

Rusty was born in Waterloo, September 14, 1976, the son of Thomas and Terry (Haefner) Geiger. He was a micro preemie weighing 1 lb. 8 oz. From birth, he was a strong fighter in regards to his disabilities of blindness, mental disability and Cerebral Palsy. He attended the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton from the age of 3 until he was 19 years old. Staff there were patient and kindhearted, teaching and caring for Rusty. He soon became known to them as "Bubble Gum Geiger".

Rusty participated in Special Olympics, cub scouts, and belonged to the First Christian Church and Sunday School. He loved square dancing with his mom, camping, fishing, boat rides, family get-togethers and reunions, listening to his uncle's argue about the Hawkeyes and eating his mom's cooking. While living in a group home, one of Rusty's jobs was to go on tour playing the keyboard at local senior centers. Rusty enjoyed everyone he met, everywhere he went.

Rusty is survived by his parents, Tom and Terry Geiger; brother, Jon (Melisa) Geiger; sister, Cheyanne Geiger; nieces, Lydia and Taylor Geiger; special nephew, Deven Gebo; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and a life-time friend, Quincy Routh, who always beat him at Special Olympics.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl and Oma Geiger and Stanley and Patricia Haefner; uncle, Eddie Studebaker; and his special cousin and caregiver, Jenny Whitson.

A memorial fund has been established.

Rusty's family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School and Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab for their wonderful care of Rusty.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.