Hanna Thea Geidans

life story

35,664 Days on Earth

Hanna “Thea” Geidans, age 97, of Columbus, MN formerly Aitkin, MN, died peacefully at home on September 22, 2025.

Thea was born in Rellingen, Germany on January 31, 1928, immigrated to DesMoines, IA in 1952 and later moved the family to Aitkin, MN and raised their children. She missed foods and traditions from her childhood and found ways to recreate her favorites for all to enjoy. Her bacon buns were a thing of legend! Thea instilled a love of travel in her children, never hesitating to hit the road to visit a park or historic destination. She loved nature and animals and treasured many special pets over the years. She liked to fish and was an avid gardener and talented crafter and seamstress. She was an amazing photographer and was a founding member of the Aitkin Camera Club. She also collected dolls and joined the Aitkin Doll Club. Over the years, she and Evalds raised turkeys and a few head of cattle on their farm on Fleming Route. They retired from farming and moved south of Aitkin to the house Evalds built for them in the early 1970’s. She lived there until 2010 when she moved in with her youngest daughter, Kathy, and her family. She loved having the ability to see all of her children more often. She also loved going to the cabin in Nisswa and enjoying the lake.

She was preceded in death by her husband Evalds “Pete” Geidans, daughter Sigrida Nixon, and sons Peter Geidans and Hans Geidans.

Thea is survived by her children Ilga (Paul) Janouskovec, Ingrid DeVries, Karl Geidans, Margaret Michaels, and Kathy (Brian) Dow. Grandchildren Thea Nixon, Robbie Nixon, Inta Buhr, Andy Nixon, Scott Janouskovec, Matthew Janouskovec, Amy Dow, Ted DeVries, Hanna DeVries, Emmi Herz, Katie Bonsall, Jack Dow, Ian Dow, as well as 9 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. She was an amazing woman who will be greatly missed.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

October 12, 2025

We will be having a Celebration of Life open house on October 12 from 10:00-2:00 at the Dow home in Columbus, MN. Brunch will be served. Address is:

8412 172nd Ave. NE

Columbus, MN 55025

A private family internment will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery in Aitkin, MN on October 11 at 1:00.