Genevieve L. Garbs

Genevieve ‘Jenny” Garbs (nee Alfermann), 90, of Washington, Missouri, passed away surrounded by her children on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.  Genevieve, daughter of the late Rudolph Alfermann and Clara nee Poepsel, was born on June 1, 1934, in Washington. She received her education from St. Francis Borgia Grade School and High School. On May 29, 1954, she was united in marriage to Gustave J. Garbs, Jr. at St. Francis Borgia Church in Washington. Their marriage was blessed with ten children. 

Jenny lived most of her life within a one-mile radius of her childhood home on High Street.  In 1960, Gus and Jen built a home on James Street and became the newest addition to a street full of young families, including two of her childhood friends from her High Street neighborhood.  For the next several decades, James Street would become a neighborhood full of friends, family, and fun - the perfect place to raise families side by side and create many special lifelong memories. 

Jenny devoted her life to her husband and family, loved being a supportive wife to Gus, and caring for her children and grandchildren. She made her home a place of laughter and fun, where life skills and faith lessons were learned and lived. She taught by example, especially in her care of Claudia, the virtues of love, patience, humility, and kindness.

She loved making her children’s birthdays special with favorite meals, desserts, and a decorated bulletin board.  Holidays were celebrated throughout the year with music, food, decorations, and lots of family and friends present. She shared her love of singing and taught her children to sing old-time favorites and church hymns in harmony.  

She was excellent at creating a pot of soup out of little, baking up bread for family and parish meals, putting up jellies, pickles, and tomato juice, and creating dishes from the vegetables grown in Gus’s garden.  Jenny enjoyed being part of a card club with dear friends that met during the early years of their marriage. She loved sewing, puzzles, and was passionate about reading. Jenny was known for her quick wit and sense of humor.

For several decades, she managed their home photography business, Garbs Photo, enjoying the chance to meet and become friends with those they served.  After their retirement, she became Gus’ co-pilot as they travelled across the country and abroad.  Her dream of seeing the Vatican and the Holy Land became a reality as she, Gus, and many of her parish friends made the trips with Monsignor Jack as host.

Jenny was a lifelong parishioner at St. Francis Borgia Parish and lived her Catholic faith prayerfully and joyfully.  She had a deep love of Scripture and served as Lector for many, many years.  She shared bible studies with parish friends and enjoyed talking about her faith and her excitement to see Heaven.

Among her survivors are her beloved husband of 70 years, Gustave Garbs, of Washington; children, Cynthia Philipp and husband Dale of Washington, Cookie Garbs of Kansas City, Niecey Edwards of Washington, Steve Garbs and wife Debbie of Blue Springs, Lori Geise and husband Terry of Shawnee, Kansas; Marlys Wilcox and husband Brian of Sullivan, Claudia Garbs of Higginsville; and Spencer Garbs and wife Cheryl of Greenville, Illinois; daughter-in-law Lori Garbs of Washington;

twenty-five grandchildren: Nate Philipp, Liz Brueggemann, Meghan Boland, Eva Philipp, Amanda Mires, Justin Edwards, John Edwards, Leigh Garbs, Jordan Garbs, Louise Garbs, Andrew Geise, Aaron Geise, Adam Geise, Austin Geise, AnnMarie Geise, Heidi Ahmed, Lydia Stack, Clark Wilcox, Madeline Wilcox, Emily Huddleston, Nick Dyson; Morgan VanLeer, Erika Goodman, Zach Garbs, and Olivia Garbs; twenty-eight great-grandchildren and one great-great- grandchild;

one brother, Dennis Alfermann and wife Barb of Washington; and one sister, Kathleen Eikermann and husband Don of McKinney, Texas; brother-in-law Francis “Hank” Garbs of Washington; sister-in-law Marita Garbs of Washington; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph & Clara Alfermann; her children, Diane Garbs and Roger Garbs; her siblings, Rose & husband Roy Miller, Francis “Sonny” & wife Mary Alice Alfermann; Annie and husband Wayne Schriewer, and Richard Alfermann; nephews Brian Schriewer and Rick Alfermann, and niece Tammy Mahnesmith; her in-laws: Mary Holt, Eugene Garbs, Helen Kandlbinder, Ervin Garbs, Theon Garbs, Theresa Mohesky, Lillian Bockover, Bertha Becker, Bob Garbs.

Visitation for Genevieve Garbs will be on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home.  A parish rosary will be at 3:30 pm at the funeral home.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Francis Borgia Church, Washington, Missouri, with Reverend Tim Henderson officiating.  Burial will be held privately in the church cemetery.

Donations in Jenny’s memory may be made to St. Francis Borgia Grade School or St. Francis Borgia High School.

Arrangements in care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington, Missouri.

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