Joseph H. Geuer
Joseph H. Geuer joined our Heavenly Father at the time appointed for him to do so: May 21, 2007 at 7:15 a.m. His wife of 36 years had her arm
around him and was singing Alleluia.
Joe was born (the seventh of eleven children) in Germany on March 1, 1922
and lived in both Germany and Holland until he was 13 years old. Since his father did not want any of his sons in Hitler's service, the family immigrated to Bolivia where they made stain glass windows and did weaving.
In 1953, Joe traveled, with only a suitcase containing a few books, to Chile where he intended to join the Benedictine community to become a Roman Catholic priest. He was not accepted because of his age but was allowed to work for them until he had money to return to Chile. During that time, a priest from the Holy Cross community heard of him and invited him to join that community. Since Joe only went to the eighth grade, he was tutored for approximately 6 months before he was sent to the United States where he would spend one year in the Novitiate. After that time, he attended the University of Notre Dame where he got his bachelor's degree. From there, he went to the Catholic University in Chile. In 1962, He was ordained in the Holy Cross Priesthood in Bolivia and continued his studies in Chile.
In 1964, Joe worked in Sau Paulo, Brazil until 1966 when he returned to Chile and did Parish work.
Since Joe was from a large family that did everything together, he was
hoping to live similarly with the Holy Cross Community. Unfortunately, that did not happen; so Joe took a leave of absence and traveled to the United States with friends he had met in Chile. In California, he worked as
a cabinet maker, a handy man, and a "jack-of-all-trades" at Jesuit high
school. It was during this time that he returned to the priesthood and
ministered in a parish in Hayward, California.
In 1971, Joe traveled North with the hopes of finding a Bishop who wouldallow him to minister in the Catholic Charismatic Movement. Then he
crossed the bridge entering into Washington, he decided to go on to Seattle
where Father Fulton, a Charismatic Roman Catholic priest, and Dennis
Bennet, an Episcopal priest lived. He lived at Blessed Sacrament with
Father Fulton and ministered in the parish as needed.
In March, because of Joe's interest in working in the Charismatic Movement, he was given the name of Al Trautman, who was a Full Gospel Businessmen's President in Everett. Then he called Al, who was on
vacation, Martina answered the phone. (She had left the Franciscan
Community in December.) A month later, because the Lord told Joe to ask
Martina to marry him, he hesitantly did so and was relieved that Martina was willing, if that was what the Lord wanted. They were married on May 5, 1971. During his early years of marriage, Joe ministereed at large in the greater Seattle area. He also pastored a small group of people for about two years. Since he wanted to be connected with others, he took steps to become an Episcopal priest; but was not accepted because he was not Episcopalian enough. During that time, Joe worked for 12 years as a painter in various shipyards in Seattle. After he retired, he always had dinner ready for Martina when she returned from work.
The Geuers moved to Moses Lake on Dec. 18, 2002 and have enjoyed fellowshipping with the Believers there.
Joe's remains were buried at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, WA. A glorious praise and worship service will be held at New Beginnings Christian Center (318 Northshore Drive) on June 16 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Benevolent Fund at The Church in Moses Lake (P.O. Box 1135, Moses Lake, WA 98837). Thank you.