Geneva Danna

Geneva Danna, age 92 of Richmond and formerly of East Bernard, died Friday, December 21, 2012 following a one year struggle with cancer. She was born on October 5, 1920 in Cuero, Texas, daughter of the late Cris and Augusta Hemhke Menning of Shiner, Texas. Geneva Menning grew up in Shiner, Texas with her 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Geneva attended St. Ludmilla's Academy (now Shiner Catholic School) and graduated in 1938. In the early 1940's she moved to Victoria where she worked as a medical receptionist. She married Johnny Danna on June 27, 1942 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Victoria, while Johnny was serving as a flight instructor in the Army Air Corps. After the war, Johnny and Geneva moved to Beaumont, Texas where they lived and raised their two children, Jonella and John Mark. They moved to East Bernard in the early 1990's to be close to their daughter and grandchildren. Johnny preceded Geneva in death on June 18, 1999. Geneva was focused on her family all of her life, as a young girl at home and later as a mother and wife. No friends of her children ever left hungry. She demonstrated true Christian principles in everything she did and the way she treated those closest to her. She enjoyed her garden, managing the household, her grandchildren and praying the Rosary. Geneva was always the caregiver, stepping in when it was most difficult, never shirking from a task of helping the sick or working to improve the world around her. Material things were never the most important things in her life. Instead, she was always ready to help family or friends in need as best she could. Late in life, unable to get around on her own, she loved to be informed as to the goings on of her friends and family. She was always ready to confirm a good choice and reinforce doing the right thing. Mrs. Danna was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Pearl Menning, of Liberty, Texas and Leola Slaton of Halletsville, Texas and brothers, Lee Roy Menning of Yoakum, Texas, Melvin Menning of Kingwood, Texas, and Jesse Menning, of West Columbia, Texas. Visitation at 9:00 A.M., the Rosary at 10:30 A.M., and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday morning, December 27, at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Don Ruppert officiating. Burial follows at the Holy Cross Cemetery in East Bernard. Survivors include daughter, Jonella Danna Satterfield of Richmond, son, John Mark Danna and wife, Linda Oliveira Danna of Louisville, Kentucky, grandchildren, Robert Satterfield, III, of Charleston, South Carolina, John Michael Satterfield of Marshall, Texas, John Mark Danna II of Troy, Michigan, and great grandson, Shawn Satterfield, of Richmond, Texas. Pallbearers will be, Robert Satterfield III, John Mark Danna II, Daniel Oliveira of Greatwood, Texas, David Oliveira of Houston, Texas, Christopher Oliveira of Austin, Texas and Adam Anzuldua of Needville, Texas. Funeral services were under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Cross Scholarship Fund, Holy Cross Catholic Church, East Bernard, Texas.