She had been under the loving care of Juanita Ortiz of Home Instead while challenging herself to rehabilitate from hip surgery in January of this year. She was preceded in death by husband James; daughter Monika (Hurley); son-in-law Jimmy; parents Hildegard and Ludwig Schulz; sister Hildegard and brother-in-law Ray (Rexroad); brother Helmut (Dorothee) Schulz.
She is survived by brother Kurt (Kate) Schulz; sister Helga (Stan) Fracker III; granddaughters Kaitlyn and Kelly Hurley; sister-in-law Dorothee Schulz; nephews Michael (Meredith) Rexroad; Stanley (Julie) Fracker IV; Wesley (Emilie) Fracker; Daniel (Iris) and Johannes Schulz; nieces Theresa (Jeff) Pratt; Sue Ann (Laura Burkett) Fracker; Iris Clymer; Mirjam (Stefan); Dorothee Schulz; and numerous grand nephews and nieces.
Gisela was born March 21, 1933 in Berlin, Germany, thus her formative years were subject to oppression and the savagery of war. Her life changing moment was meeting Scotsman James Ballantyne Aiken, serving with US Army forces in Germany. She and “Her Jim” were married in Dumbarton, Scotland on October 22, 1955. Gisela was most proud of obtaining her US citizenship on June 12, 1963. Given her experience of growing up under fascism, there was no greater advocate and voice for democracy and freedom than Gisela. Gisela and Jim considered daughter Monika and grandchildren Kaitlyn and Kelly the greatest blessings in their lives. Her mother’s, Monika’s and Jimmy’s passings in 2004 and Jim’s in 2011 were devastating but Gisela found strength and purpose to continue. There was literally nothing she could not conquer or do once she set her mind to it. She was well known and admired for her creativity and craftsmanship in crocheting, and knitting – especially in crafting period doll clothing. She helped forge miniature wooden crosses with neighbor Chuck Hale to provide others with hope. She became an avid tech “geek” – mastering the iPad, Facebook and Messenger. She took pride in fixing or repairing everything from pool equipment to modifying her rehabilitation equipment – making it more “user friendly”. But the loves of her life was always “Jim, Monika, Kaitlyn and Kelly, and Benji”.
A celebration of life funeral service will be held at 3 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 5000 CR 46A, Sanford, Florida 32771 with interment to follow in Oaklawn Cemetery with Rev. Clint Kandle officiating.
The family will host a repast at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial be made to the Orange County Animal Shelter, 2769 Conroy Rd, Orlando, FL 32839 or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Please join the service virtually at any link below:
DONATIONS
Orange County Animal Shelter2769 Conroy Road, Orlando, Florida 32839
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