Katie Jenkins Gieger

Katie Gieger School Teacher Lakeland – Katie Jenkins Gieger died Sunday, January 7, 2018 at Highlands Lake Center. She was 98 years old. She was born in Laurel, Mississippi on November 10, 1919; she was the youngest of 3 children. She and her husband (Mack) married in 1941 while Mack was in the military. Prior to Mack’s retirement, Katie was busy raising two sons which was a full-time job. In 1959, Katie and Mack moved to Lakeland at which time she enrolled at Florida Southern College and obtained her teachers degree. This was an interesting time for her because she had several classes with one of her sons. She retired from the Polk County School Board in 1986 after teaching first grade at Carlton Palmore and Scott Lake Elementary Schools. After her retirement, she and Mack traveled throughout the United States. She was a member and very active with Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary sorority for retired teachers. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church where she was active in various positions since 1959. Katie was preceded in death by her husband Lt. Col. (Ret) Mack Gieger. She is survived by her two sons, Doug (Barbara), and Mike (Sheri); grandchildren, Todd Gieger, Allison Gieger Ossorio, Meredith Gieger Alexander; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation and funeral services will be held at Heath Funeral Chapel located at 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801. Visitation will be Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10 am with the funeral service immediately following. A reception will be held in the Tribute Center after the service. Graveside service will be held at Lakeland Memorial Gardens, 2125 Bartow Road, Lakeland, FL 33801 following the reception. Memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, 5330 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL 33812 or charity of the givers' choice.