Gisela G. Preston
June 14, 1928 - January 17, 2017
Obituary
LARAMIE, WYOMING/OREGON, WISC. -Gisela Gabriele Preston, age 88, of Oregon, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 at Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by family. She was born on June 14, 1928 in Berlin. Her parents, Friedrich Wilhelm and Eugenie (Appel) Schaefer raised her in the beautiful mountains near Bad Reichenhall, Bavaria, in southern Germany. After graduating from primary school, she continued her education and received a teaching certificate. Gisela moved to the United States after World War II and spent the majority of her life in Wyoming, where she loved the mountains, nature, camping, hiking, skiing and just being outdoors. She enjoyed Polka dancing, German music, knitting, crocheting and embroidering and Murder Mystery evenings with her dear friends. She was loving and helpful toward her many friends and family and will be deeply missed. Gisela was a former member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Oregon and the Elks Auxiliary in Madison. She is survived by her children, Tom (Peggy) LaPoint, Heidi (Shane) Greaves, Mark (Janet) Preston, Jeff LaPoint, Ron LaPoint and Christine (Kent) Tydrich; grandchildren, Gisela LaPoint (fiancé, Chris Hill), Justin LaPoint, Amelie LaPoint, Ron Micah (Kristen) LaPoint, Becky (John) Dwojakowski, Matt (Laura) LaPoint, Taylor Preston, Cody Waters and Ben Ayers; and her beloved great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Horst Schaefer, husband Donald Preston and daughter Paula Rutherford. A memorial service will be held at Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 400 N. Morris St., Stoughton, at 11 am on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, with Rev. Jim Koza presiding. Refreshments will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of the service on Friday. Memorials may be made to Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park St.
(608) 835-3515
Events
Visitation
Fri Feb 3, 2017 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Skaalen Nursing & Rehab Center • 400 N. Morris St., Stoughton, WI 53589
Memorial Service
Fri Feb 3, 2017 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Skaalen Nursing & Rehab Center • 400 N. Morris St., Stoughton, WI 53589
Photos
No photos of Gisela have been shared yet.
Memories
FW
Flew Wilson
Other •
Chris and family....Bill and I wanted to let you know how sorry we were to read about Gisela in today's Boomerang. She and Don were such good neighbors when we both lived on 15th Street. We enjoyed our get-togethers there, and also had some fun camping trips! Then we got to go visit with them in Washington after they moved there. Great memories. And this is such a good picture of Gisela in her obit...love that smile! Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all now...
Flew & Bill Wilson
KF
Kandi Furphy
Other •
Dan and I wanted you all to know how much Don and Gisela meant to us. We cherish the fun we had with them. We have memories of Don and Gisela dressing up like Sonny and Cher singing "I got you Babe" complete with wigs and a whole lot of swag. They introduced us to Mystery Dinners once Gisela assumed a character's personality she easily convinced me "who did it." She generously shared her cooking talent and her recipes. Every time I make Red Cabbage or Cucumber Salad I think of my friend Gisela. Truly, I count her one of my great blessings in life. Sincerely, Kandi Furphy
MK
Mary Koss
Other •
Mary and Klaus Koss
We were sad to hear of Gisela's passing. We came to know her and her kindness when our Mom/Mother-in-law became her roommate at the nursing home. When Lilly passed last September, Gisela came over to Lilly's side to say 'good-bye' and place a flower in her hair. In the short time we knew her, we knew her to be such a lovely, sweet lady. We are sorry for your loss. God bless Gisela, her family and friends, and may you all be comforted with your wonderful memories of this lovely soul.
GB
Gina Barden
Other •
I met Gisela and Christine at the Elks Club in Madison. We became fast friends as I recognized the German accent and we realized that we had both lived in beautiful Bavaria, Germany. After Chris stopped coming to the Elks Junebug and I took turns driving to pick up Gisela for the monthly outing. She loved to go and be with others and have a tequila sunrise or glass of wine. One summer evening I picked her up in my red corvette and we drove to the "Sunnyside" for a drink out on the deck and watched the sunset. It was an evening I'll never forget. Another night I won't forget is when we went out to a local bar in Stoughton and they were having Karaoke. I was goading her to get up and sing when she told me she would if they had Edelweiss in the song book. It was an extensive songbook and I found Edelweiss in it. I showed it to her and we laughed until we cried. She did not get up and sing. My husband and I pushed Gisela in her wheelchair around the streets of Stoughton many times and loved every minute we spent with her. I miss her incredibly but know she is in a much better place...where she wanted to be. I love you Gisela!