Gisela (nee Lenz) Irmler went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 3, 2022.
Gisela was born on May 31, 1929, in Gelsenkirchen-Resse, Germany. When she was age 9, Gisela’s mother Emilie had complications during pregnancy and both mother and baby died. The nurse (Auguste Orzelsky) who had been caring for Emilie, eventually married Gisela’s father, Gottfried Lenz and was never considered a stepmom because of her love and devotion to her family. In 1939 World War II began. Gisela being the eldest child was given many tasks to do to help the family. Food and clothing were very scarce, but in later years Gisela attributed that those experiences had helped her to become frugal and hardworking. This was especially helpful in her early years of marriage and when Gisela became a widow with four children to raise.
Although Gisela went to Sunday school throughout her childhood, it was not until she was 19 years old that she received Christ as her Savior. She was encouraged to grow in her Christian walk by some very dear families. It was through some friends in a young adult’s church group that she was introduced to her future husband,Otto Irmler. Gisela and Otto married in 1952.
In 1954, at the age of 24, Gisela and Otto Irmler immigrated to America. They were blessed with five children. Their eldest son, Friedel, died at the age of 5 in a tragic car accident and Otto died in 1969. It was the promises of God’s word the Bible and love shown by family & friends that gave Gisela the strength to continue.
Gisela then went on to work at Briggs & Stratton for 20 years, starting on the assembly line and working her way up to supervisor. Her hobbies included reading, knitting, crocheting, and baking. Gisela used her crafts and cookies to be an encouragement and an example of Christian love to those around her.
Gisela is survived by her sons Ralph (Marsha) Irmler and Mark (Victoria) Irmler; daughters Ellen (Tony) Barba and Karen (Mike) Allen; brothers Harro Lenz and Friedel (Clara) Lenz, brother-in-law Martin Bisswurm, 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband Otto Irmler, son Friedel Irmler, parents Gottfried and Emilie Lenz, second mother, Auguste Lenz, sister, Erika Bisswurm and sister-in-law, Susan Lenz.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Visitation at 10:00 AM, service at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to Baptist World Missions in her memory. Visit their website www.baptistworldmission.org for more information.