Obituary of Genevieve Sylvester

Genevieve T. Sylvester, 91, of East Bethel, passed away peacefully at the Epiphany Assisted Living in Coon Rapids. Jennie was born on August 24, 1918 in Cherry Grove Township, Minnesota, the oldest of eight children born to John and Theresa (Nolan) O'Kane. She grew up on a farm outside of Cherry Grove, Minnesota. Jennie graduated eighth grade from rural country school and twelfth grade from Wanamingo High School. After school she stayed with her grandparents in Bethel, Minnesota and that is where she met her husband Eddie Sylvester. Jennie and Eddie were married on September 28, 1940 and moved to a farm in the East Bethel/Cedar area and that is where they lived their entire life. In addition to the farm, they (along with Eddie's father and brother) owned and operated Sylvester Lumber Company. Farming and the lumber business kept them very busy, but Jennie found time to volunteer. She was an active member of Christ The King Catholic Church in Cambridge. Jennie was a 4-H Leader for many years as well as a member of the Dyers Corner Helping Hand Club for sixty-five years. She volunteered for the American Cancer crusade and was a member of TOPS/KOPS for twenty-five years. Eddie and Jennie were married for fifty-one years, and enjoyed traveling. Eddie especially enjoyed fishing so she learned to enjoy fishing as well. She was the "Tower of Strength" to her family and friends. Jennie is survived by her children Marcia (Jerry) Swedeen of Cambridge, Raymond (Janet) Sylvester of East Bethel, Bernie (Marcy) Sylvester of Stanchfield, Sharon (Larry) McCormack of Hager City, WI, Tom (Janice) Sylvester of Isanti, Eileen (Glenn) Frisch of Ham Lake, 17 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild, sisters Lucille Miller of Mazeppa, MN, Rose Foster of Kansas City, MO, brothers John (Mary Ann) O'Kane of Little Canada, & Hugh (Monica) O'Kane of St. Paul. She was preceded in death by husband Eddie George Sylvester, and three siblings Margaret McDermott, Richard O'Kane, and James O'Kane.