Genevieve was a kind, compassionate woman whose Christian devotion and energy for life will be missed by all. In their sixty-two years together, Genevieve and Reverend Oliver Omanson had an amazing partnership faithfully serving the Lord together in churches in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nebraska. The outpouring of love for Genevieve and her family during this time speaks to the eternal impact of their fruitful ministry. Weeks before Genevieve went to be with the Lord, in spite of her illness, she continued her loving ministry at Emmanuel Evangelical Church in Yankton where Oliver is currently the pastor.

Genevieve was born on a farm in Miner County, S.D. She attended a country grade school and graduated from Winfred High School in 1940. She then attended Sioux Falls College for one year. For the next two years, in order to pay for college, she worked at John Morrell's packing plant in Sioux Falls. Genevieve then attended the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1946 with a major in Bacteriology and worked for the South Dakota Department of Public Health. During this time she also met and married Oliver Omanson, a World War II Prisoner of War Veteran. Together they began serving the Lord even before Oliver graduated from Bethel Seminary. Over the next six decades Genevieve served side-by-side with Oliver in the ministry, blessing multitudes with her beautiful singing voice and wonderful hospitality. Genevieve was a woman of great spiritual depth and inner strength who was devoted to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A talented artist, many of her paintings grace the walls of family and friends as a precious reminder of her many gifts. A breast cancer survivor for many years, she volunteered with Reach for Recovery and inspired many breast cancer patients with her witness and example. Also, many women benefited from her involvement with Christian Women's Clubs either as her guest, as a special music vocalist or behind-the scenes volunteer. Over the years, she also served the community in various capacities with a special emphasis on serving the poor and disenfranchised. Her legacy of compassion and justice for the marginalized lives on in her children and grandchildren as they continue to follow her example and make a difference in this broken world.

Of Genevieve's many accomplishments, she was most proud of creating a beautiful family of three wonderful children, Darrell, Deborah and Dwight, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Tragically, her precious daughter, Deborah, went home to be with her Lord on January 22, 2008 after a very sudden illness. Genevieve is survived by her husband, Reverend Oliver Omanson; sons, Darrell (Susan) and Dwight (Judy) Omanson; son-in-law Mike Stevens; grandchildren, Charity, Micah, Sophie, Sadie, Jason, Jessica, Tiffany, Heidi and Haley, and great grandson, Cale; sister, Deloris Zischke, and brothers John (Phyllis) and Donald (Mary Ann) Palmquist. She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Ellen Palmquist and very recently her daughter Deborah.