Geraldine Estelle "Geri" Ritter Schlichting, 72, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Geri will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. Burial will be in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport with a time of sharing at the conclusion. There will be additional visitation on Friday at church from 9:30 a.m. until Mass begins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a memorial bench or an education fund for the Schlichting grandchildren.

Born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1953, Geri spent her life giving far more than she ever asked for in return. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, caregiver, artist, storyteller, and friend. To know Geri was to know unconditional love, endless generosity, and the comfort of always having someone in your corner.

For many years, Geri opened not only her home but her heart by caring for countless children through her daycare. To generations of families, she wasn't simply a babysitter—she became another mom, another grandma, another safe place. The children she cared for never forgot her kindness, patience, or the feeling of being loved. She gave pieces of her heart away every day, and somehow always found more to give.

Geri had the soul of an artist. She loved to draw and paint, all beautiful artwork that reflected the creativity she carried throughout her life. She was also a gifted writer who found joy in writing short stories and even novels, creating worlds from her imagination and sharing pieces of herself through every page she wrote. She believed every story mattered, especially the stories of the people she loved.

If you ever heard the names "Mimi," "Bubby," or simply "Geri," chances are you immediately thought of her famous cherry cheesecakes, or her lemonade. Feeding people was one of the many ways she showed love.

Geri's greatest joy was her family. She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the countless children whose lives she helped shape. Her hugs made hard days easier, her encouragement made people believe in themselves, and her love was felt by so many of all of her son’s friends, and neighbors as well..

Geri shared a beautiful life and enduring love with her husband, Tom Schlichting. Their marriage was built on laughter, perseverance, and a devotion that only grew stronger with time. After Tom's passing, Geri's heart simply could not bear the weight of life without the man she loved. She suffered Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, often called "broken heart syndrome," a rare condition brought on by overwhelming emotional stress. Even in her passing, their story remained one of extraordinary love a reminder that some hearts are so deeply connected they never truly learn to live apart.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Nick and Stacey, Chris and Emily, and Tommy and Marcy Schlichting, all of Davenport; grandchildren: Allison, Tyler, Lucy, Braeden, Ruby, Jonas, Thomas, and Maisy; brother, Herb (Deb) Ritter, Neponset, Illinois and Lucille (Greg) Hrubes, Lake Mills, Iowa, as well as countless friends and extended family.

In addition to her beloved husband, Tom, she was preceded in death by her parents, and other treasured family members who welcomed her home.

The Schlichting family finds comfort in knowing that Tom and Geri, separated for only a few days, are together once again. Their lives were a testament to enduring love, unwavering commitment, and putting family above everything else. Though their absence leaves an immeasurable void, the lessons they taught the importance of forgiveness, generosity, hard work, kindness, and unconditional love will continue through everyone blessed enough to know them.

In honor of Geri, the family encourages everyone to hug their loved ones a little tighter, tell the stories that need to be shared and enjoyed, and never miss an opportunity to remind someone they are loved.

A life so generous can never truly be measured by years, but by the countless hearts it changed.

Together again. Forever loved. Forever missed. We all love Mimi.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Geri’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com