Gisela Griffis, 57, of Ontario passed away Friday June 9, 2017, surrounded by family in the comforts of her home.
Gisela, a German native, was born in Dortmund, Germany, on May 8, 1960. In the winter of 1982, she was united in marriage to JT Griffis in Verden, Germany. In 1985, accompanying her husband, Gisela began her journey in the United States. Along with her family and dog Tuffy, in 1995 Gisela relocated to Wisconsin, where she spent 22 years living her life to her fullest.
Gisela encompassed the definition of love. She cherished her family, especially her grandbabies. She dedicated her life to compassion; she loved deeply and cared without judgment. Gisela loved easy and was easily loved, as she built a career within the medical field, selflessly providing for others. Gisela was well-known in the community, especially Tomah, where her loyalty remains. Her proudest moment in life, besides giving birth to her three children, was when she became an American citizen. Idolizing her country’s freedom, she wholeheartedly supported her family’s military service. As Gisela tirelessly waited for her family to return from overseas, she devoted her service to the veterans back home, with whom she ended her career.
Besides loving her family and patients, Gisela enjoyed knitting, gardening, and relished shopping with her daughters. Her favorite pastime was reading Danielle Steele books, playing rummy, and decorating her home. She was passionate about Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed drinking coffee. Baking and cooking German recipes came easily, as did making friends. Gisela took pride in her personal appearance, loving to dress up and paint her nails. Taking road trips with her husband and spending time with friends kept her youthful. She lived for her grandbabies and treasured making memories with her family. Gisela adored family dogs and was timely about watching her reality TV shows. Making small talk and chitchatting in Walmart always lifted her spirits. As she listened to Motown hits, Gisela would relive some of her happiest times; however, there was no other sound more beautiful than hearing her son sing. Speaking German and singing the Oma song to her grandbabies comforted her, as she knew her heritage would live on within her family.
Gisela is survived by her husband of 34 years, JT Griffis; her children, Jaqueline (Kyle) Franck, Janiece (Devlin) Ruhling, and Joel Griffis; her grandbabies, Jameson, Jeffrey, Delilah and soon-to-be baby Franck; her sister, Ulla Dost; her father-in-law, Jackson Griffis; and her niece, Annika Dost. She will be dearly missed by her special friends, Karin, Hanne, Carol, Vonda, and Marilyn.
Gisela was preceded in death by her parents, Rolf and Gertrude Bauer; her nephew, Sebastian Dost; her mother-in-law, Janet Slatter; and her sister, Angelika Dost.
A special thank you to Doris for your compassion and care when it was needed the most and to the countless friends and community members who were graced with Gisela’s love.
A Celebration of Life is tentatively planned for July 29. More details from the family are to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gisela’s memory to the RIA Federal Credit Union in Tomah. These donations will be given to the veterans whom Gisela so dearly cared for.
Gisela was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.