Geni (Genevieve) Bullentini Felesina

Geni (Genevieve) Bullentini Felesina passed away on Aug. 20, 2009 at her home in Carson City, Nev., with her family surrounding her. She was born on Aug. 6, 1920 in San Francisco, Calif., to Alessandro Bullentini and Colomba Venturi Bullentini as her mother left the family ranch to have the birth with her mother and sister.

Geni spent her early childhood in Sparks, Nev., on their ranch, which was located in the present Greenbrae area. One of her duties was to help hide her father's stills he needed to make whiskey in order to make ends meet.

After losing their ranch in the Great Depression of the 1930s, the family moved to Carson City, where her parents were hired to manage the Sacramento Club located where the Ormsby house now stands. She graduated from Carson High School and often stated her two favorite teachers were Grace Bordewich and Edith Fritsch.

Shortly after graduation she married Dimmitt Felesina. In 1946, the young couple founded Capital Beverages, a wholesale beverage distributorship still in operation today.

Against the norms of the day, she went on the road and did all of the selling while Dimmitt organized and made sure all deliveries were done. She always had a joke to tell and was friendly to everyone and was proud of her many accomplishments in the sales field. She personally sold her products to many of the pioneers of Nevada gaming such as Bill Harrah, Harvey Gross, Lincoln Fitzgerald, Dick Graves and the Adams brothers. She received several sales awards, some given her personally by August Busch of Anheuser Busch.

In 1959, she sold the business and enjoyed a few years taking care of her family and home. In 1962 she returned to work when she was hired at the Nevada Industrial Commission and retired 24 years later as the clerical supervisor in the claims division. She enjoyed working there where she made many lifelong friends. After she retired, she returned to work part time as a crossing guard for the Carson City School District. She loved helping the small children and keeping them safe.

Geni was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Dane, and her sister, Theresa Hodge. She is survived by three children, daughter, Genidene "Cookie" Kidder (Roy), sons Larry (Carolyn), and John plus nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be held at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 at Fitzhenry's Funeral Home. There will be a service at St. Theresa of Avila church at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 with a private burial to follow. A celebration of life will be held immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you send a donation to one of Geni's favorite charities, Covenant House, Father Flanigan's Boys' Town, Disabled American Veterans, St. Mary's Hospice, or charity of your choice. A special note of thanks is being given to Geni's registered nurse, Sister Cindy, and aide Pam of St. Mary's Hospice for their invaluable help and compassion.