GISELA HERMANN

GISELA HERMANN

     Gisela Maria Elizabeth (Geiger) Hermann passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022.

     Gisela passed away peacefully in home hospice, with many close family members by her side in Willard, WI. She was a longtime resident of Black River Falls and before that, Melrose.

     She was born on the 8th of June, 1929, in Neusalz an der Oder, Germany, and was 93 years old.

     Her parents were Aurthur Geiger and Martha (nee Titze) Geiger. She had two older siblings, Dorothy and Guenther, both now deceased.

     At 11 years of age, her father, whom she adored, passed away from an injury in a factory accident. Soon after that tragedy, World War II broke out in Europe. Surviving that horrific time of war and loss, she managed to cross Germany to a safer place. She eventually met and married Adolf Hermann on Sept. 1, 1952. Their first son, Dieter, was born in 1953.

     A big move was made in 1956. The family left Germany and settled in Chicago, where they lived for 12 1/2 years. Two more children were born, Hans (“Peter”) and Marianne. English was self-taught.

     Adolf’s dream was to move the family to a farm in Wisconsin, away from the big city. In 1968, he purchased a farm in Melrose, Wisconsin. Beef, hogs and chickens were raised. A huge garden was a must, as Gisela put up all the winter produce. She also milked two cows by hand and made butter. She also took on house cleaning jobs in the Melrose area and babysat to help with the household income. Life was very frugal. Adolf often worked two jobs. The farm life lasted for 36 years. Adolf passed away in 2003. She then moved to Black River Falls, where she lived in a nice apartment on Rye Bluff Road for 16 years. At 90 years old, she moved into her daughter, Marianne’s, home in Willard, WI.

     Gisela was a wonderful homemaker. She loved to bake. She made delicious home-cooked meals, baked wonderful treats, all made with love. Even with her daily chores, she always made time to help neighbors, family and friends. She was easy to talk to, always very supportive, and a great listener. Gisela was always well-dressed and would always try to look her very best, but always with a smile on her face.

     Gisela enjoyed crafts, crocheting, gardening and raising flowers and displayed these items at the Jackson County Fair every year and brought home a few blue ribbons in the time. She made many items for charity, especially during the Christmas holidays, which were her favorite time of the year. She was a great card sender, never forgetting someone’s birthday, anniversary, etc.

     While living in Black River Falls, she made numerous friends, too many to mention. She liked going to rummage sales, the casino and luncheon dates. She enjoyed going out to eat and dancing, especially the waltz. She loved to go shopping. She loved Chinese food, and KFC was her favorite fast food! She loved to travel. 

     She loved her grandchildren dearly and spent much time with them, taking them places, making gifts for them and talking and playing with them, setting an example to all of them, which carries on.

     She was a great believer in God, hope and peace. She had a very deep faith in life.

     Mother, grandmother, great grandmother Gisela, you will be missed with sorrow by your family and those you touched.

     Gisela is survived by her children: Dieter Hermann (Celeste Coulter), Hans (Peter) Hermann (Denise Rasmussen) and Marianne Hermann (Francis Burbach); grandchildren Christopher Hermann, Michael Hermann, Sheila (Andrew) Prusinski, April (Benjamin) Bilski, Taylor (Shawn) Ziebel and Nicholas Hermann; great-grandchildren Dre Green, Sorrel Prusinski and Lorreah Prusinski.

     Our lives are a relentless push forward,

     And even if the path is bright and brilliant

     It will be littered with loss

     Everything is fleeting, everything must pass… (author unknown)

     As our lives continue to cross

     Under the bright and brilliant sky

     It’s you Mother, you beautiful Star

     That shoots across the Midwest sky

     A star that comes, far from the past

     The everlasting light that will always last.

…(Hans Hermann & Family – Marianne, Chris & Sheila)

     A celebration of life will be held at a later date in 2023, to be announced.

     The Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls is assisting the family, 715-284-2231.