SALINA- Our beloved mother and matriarch, Germaine “Geri” Thyfault-Brin-Fry, 91, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Friday, January 2, 2026, at Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Salina. She passed with her loving children by her side, just one week shy of her 92nd birthday, on the exact day her own mother was born 119 years earlier.

Geri was born on January 9, 1934, in Damar, Kansas, the youngest of 4 children born to Jeanette Cecilia (Thibault) and Louis Meddie Thyfault. She attended Damar Grade School and graduated from Damar High School in 1952.

She declined a vocal scholarship to Marymount College in Salina, choosing instead to marry her childhood sweetheart, LeRoch Brin, on June 12, 1952, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Damar. Notably, all of her siblings were also married on that same day of the month, creating a great date for the annual Thyfault Family Picnic.

Geri and LeRoch made their home in Damar and were blessed with 5 children. She was deeply involved in her church, her children’s upbringing and education, and her community. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and worked alongside her family in many ventures, building and operating a service station on Highway K-18, farming, running an excavation business, and selling Stanley Home Products.

She worked hard but always made time for fun, whether it was a night out with friends or gatherings with the lively group affectionately known as the “Damartians.” Among them were the Belisle, Benoit, Normandin, Brin, Bellerive, Roberts, Balthazor, Simoneau, Desmarteau, Arpin, LaBarge, Newell, Thyfault, Berland, Giersch, Desbien, and Hamel families, just to name a few. In 1969, the family moved to Salina where Geri accepted a position with Westinghouse Lighting, where she maintained a perfect attendance record over more than 30 years of employment. Her flexible work schedule allowed her to devote time to her family and enjoy horseback riding, representing Mary Kay cosmetics, dancing, fishing, gambling, lunch with “The Girls” at The Board of Trade, and bargain hunting at garage sales and thrift stores.

Geri was a loving, tireless, and fiercely devoted mother, Mémé and great-Mémé She had a special gift for making each of her children feel like her favorite, the only real trouble we had as a family was if one of us believed it. She was determined and driven yet grounded in acceptance when things were beyond her control, often saying, “Que sera, sera.”

Geri is survived by her children: Jerry and Tillie Brin of Wichita, Kansas; Randy and JaNae Brin of Salina; Janelle and Mike Hull of Salina; and Mark and Darla Brin of Salina. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren: [Jerry] Charissa Patterson; Preston and Trista Brin; [Randy] Heather and Tom Beggs; Jeff and Erin Brin; Ryan Brin; Staci and Kiefer Dossett; Parker Brin; [Tom] Tyler Brin; Jacob and Sasha Brin; Shelby Brin; [Janelle] Cameron Hull; Lacy and Alex Loveless; Tanner Hull; [Mark] Blaque Brin; and Baylee Brin.

21 great-grandchildren: [Jerry] Landon, Hannah, Camille Patterson; Andersen and Adaline Brin; [Randy] Alex and Duke Beggs; Isaac and Luke Brin; Heidi and Winslett Fairchild; Evelyn Lee; Kettler Fullen, Ryker Brin, [Tom] Clayton, Briella, and Eliza Brin; [Janelle] Connor Riley; Casen Loveless, Cade Loveless (b. 1/2/2024) and Cohen Hull. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Virginia Thyfault of Hays, Kansas.

Geri was preceded in death by her husband, Archie Fry; her son, Thomas Louis Brin (2007); her grandchild Hilary Meddie Brin (Tillie and Jerry 1978); and her great-grandchildren, Madisyn Ryan (2008) (Ryan Brin), Kendall Brinlynn (2010) and Jude Caiden Patterson (2014) (Charissa). She was also preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Teresa (Jerome) Benoit, Mose (Carmella) Thyfault, and Ronald Thyfault.

Mass and Christian Inurnment will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 230 East Cloud Street, Salina, Kansas. The Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m.

Inurnment will follow at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, 2020 East Iron Avenue, Salina, Kansas.

Memorials in Geri’s name can be made for Masses or Good Shepard Hospice.