Geneva Plate, age 99, of Huron and formerly of Alpena, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Huron Regional Medical Center. Her funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron, with burial to follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Alpena. Visitation, with the family present, will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday morning. 

Geneva Maxine was born on May 31, 1927 at her grandparent’s home in Alpena to her parents, William and Rose (Lehr) Daleske. She attended Dale Center Country School and Alpena High School, graduating in 1945.

After returning from WWII and fighting in numerous battles, including Battle of the Bulge, H. Lloyd Plate asked Geneva’s father if he could marry her. Her father replied he was too young and needed to wait until he turned 21. As soon as Lloyd turned 21, he and Geneva married on July 18, 1946. They began their married life in Alpena. They welcomed their daughter, Jenise in 1949. In 1950, Lloyd was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict and was stationed at Ft. Riley, KS. The young family lived there until he was discharged in 1951. They returned to Alpena where they welcomed their son Bruce in 1953.

When her children were young, Geneva enjoyed being a homemaker, teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir for many years at the Alpena Church (United Parish of Alpena). After the children were older, she began a 30 plus year career at the Bank of Alpena.

Due to Lloyd’s military service, Geneva and Lloyd were very involved in the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. Every Memorial Day felt like Christmas for the Plate family who welcomed home many family members who had all served in the armed forces. Geneva enjoyed crocheting and knitting throughout her life. She was known for her homemade soups and her “grandma bars”—also known as scotcharoo’s.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Lloyd in 2006; her two sisters, Lois (Roger) Aye and Luella (Arlo) Longcor; and Lloyd’s seven siblings.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her children, Jenise (Gary) Knox of Ft. Dodge, IA and Bruce (Ruby) Plate of Vermillion, SD; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Dr. Eric (Jessica) Knox of Ft. Dodge and their four children; Jason (Sara) Knox of Iowa City and their child; Kathy (Alyssa Samek) Plate of Fullerton, CA and their two children; Karrie (Dan) Van Ravenswaay of Sioux Center, IA and their child; Sarah Plate of Boise, ID and her child; sister-in-law, Leona Ross of Mitchell; and many nieces and nephews.