Our mother, Geraldine "Dean" Caldwell, was born on February 28, 1924, a daughter of Etta (Lawrence) and Fred Curry, at their home between Crocker and Iberia, and passed from this life from natural causes at the age of 102, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Dean was the eighth out of nine children; in order from oldest to youngest; Adeline "Addie" McMillan (Walter), Wilbert Curry, Ernest Curry (Dorothy), Lola Paine (Ronnie), Norma Fraizer (Clyde "Shorty"), Gertrude Hendricks (Gene), Harold Curry, and Vernon "Bud" Curry.

In 1941, Dean met Raymond "Ray" Caldwell at a dance, and they were married shortly after. They welcomed their first child, Audrie Sue on January 26, 1942, prior to Ray leaving for war. While Ray was away at war, Dean and Sue lived in Crocker with Ma, Pop, and Bud, with her sister Norma and her children living next door.

She was raised on the importance of family.  This belief continued throughout Dean's life.

Those left to mourn the passing of Dean include: her daughter, Sue Singer (James); her son, Rob Caldwell (Joe Montalbano); granddaughter, Jodi Mordini (Peter); great-granddaughter, Nicole Mordini; great-grandson, Steven Mordini; and many other relatives and friends.

Dean is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ray; her parents; and her siblings.

Visitation for Dean will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of or her service at 11:00 a.m., all in the Martin-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Crocker.

Interment for Ms. Dean Caldwell will be held in the Crocker Cemetery under the direction of Martin-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crocker.