Regina Noake

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 5th at 11 a.m. in the Thatcher LDS Stake Center with viewing two hours prior. Interment will be in the Central Cemetery. Regina Noake, 88, of Thatcher, passed away December 2, 2009 in Safford. Gena was born August 30, 1921 in Ashurst, AZ to Eugene & Pearl Curtis. She was the 7th child, with 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Gena attended the elementary school on the hill in Ft. Thomas and later graduated from Ft. Thomas High School. In her early years the family did not have a piano in the home but her desire to play was so great that she took an old orange crate and pretended it was a piano. She would sit for hours playing, humming and singing. She had very few piano lessons but taught herself to play and read music. Gena used to say, If you can hum it, I can play it. Gena married Tommie Rasmussen and they were both gifted musicians. They played on Saturday nights in a dance band all over the valley; giving hours of enjoyment and fun to the valley crowd. They were blessed with three children, Tommy Nels, Joy and Mary Jean. She later married Chet Shiflet, who passed away after two years of marriage. Gena married Harold Buck Noake, who has been her loving companion for 35 years. As members of the American Legion, they enjoyed many years of fun and activities with their friends and neighbors. Gena was member of the Womens Auxiliary for 30 years serving as their organist. For the past 20 years Gena made monthly visits to the nursing home where she played for those who would listen. They would all gather around the piano to sing and laugh with her. She jokingly told her daughter not so long ago, that she was just about the oldest one in the group now. Gena was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served all of her life giving service to her church, which she dearly loved, holding various positions usually involving music, and most recently as ward organist. She was asked to play at weddings, funerals and all other types of functions all over the valley. She never said no and would not turn anyone down. Everyone that met Gena loved her and wanted to be her friend. She had a wonderful sense of humor and fun loving nature. She was a true example of how a person should give and share their talents with others. Gena is survived by her husband Buck, son Tommie (Mary Ann) Rasmussen of Globe, daughters, Joy (Bob) Brown of Pima, Mary Jean Alder of Wickenburg, step-children Robby (Elaine) Noake, Karen (Mike) Beck, and Terry Dodd. Sixteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, four step great grandchildren, and four step great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Margaret Tancy and Flo Blair, and brother, Mayburn Curtis.