Obituary of Gertrud "Gerty" Maria Kisel

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gertrud Maria Kisel passed from this earth on July 19, 2022 on her 87th birthday. She died peacefully in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the loving presence of her family. She will be remembered for her positive attitude, beautiful singing voice, kindness, practical approach to life, humor, and unfailing graciousness. Joseph Martin Kisel, her beloved husband of sixty-two years, preceded her in death on December 3, 2016. She is survived by her three children, Frank (Chris) Kisel, Cindy (Dave) Fitzkee, and Vicky Amerson; seven grandchildren, Kimberly, Dennis, Crystal, Joanne, Laura, Tim, and Stephanie; and fifteen great-grandchildren.Gerty was born in Mannheim, Germany on July 19, 1935 and spent her early years in Seckenheim, including harrowing time during World War II. At the age of 18, she worked as an interior designer for a large German department store when she caught the eye of an American soldier, Joe Kisel, who became the love of her life. In spite of the language barrier, love conquers all, and they married in Germany in 1954, spending the first two years of their married life in Germany. During their life as an Army couple, they returned to Germany, where Gerty still had family, for two additional tours of duty, interspersed with stateside assignments in Illinois, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, and Texas. Gerty served as a Red Cross volunteer and took care of their children in Texas while Joe served in Vietnam during that war. Upon Joe's return from Vietnam, Gerty and Joe and the kids returned to Germany for a third tour before retiring from the Army. Upon Joe's retirement in 1970, they moved to the Colorado Springs, Colorado area, where they lived the rest of their lives. Gerty had many hobbies, she loved to read, cook, knit, do crafts. She dearly loved to decorate and help others decorate their home using her interior design expertise, which she kept sharp and cutting-edge by reading interior design magazines. Gerty had an amazing eye for color and ability to conceptualize how furniture, texture, fabrics, curtains, flooring, accent pieces, and paint color would come together in a home. When others were paralyzed by choice and indecision, Gerty knew how to bring a room together. Her interior design skills resulted in their always having a home so beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming that it looked like it came straight from a design magazine. The physical comfortableness of the home was matched by the gracious way they welcomed family and friends into their home. Time spent at their home always involved plenty of delicious food Gerty prepared using her extraordinary culinary talent. Gerty's other passions included singing and the Lord. She never met a stranger, people were drawn to her for her kindness and compassion. Gerty and Joe also enjoyed the Colorado Springs Germania Club, where they could connect to their German roots and enjoy the company of good friends.Her greatest passion was for her family, she loved spending time with Joe, her children, and their families. She was a blessing and gift to us all. Gerty will be greatly missed but never forgotten.The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the staff of ViewPointe Senior Living Community for their loving care throughout the years and to Bear Creek Senior Living for their compassionate care during Gerty's final days. Memorial Service, 12:30PM, Thursday, July 28, 2022, Woodmen Valley Chapel Stone Chapel, 290 East Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919. Events Memorial Service Thursday, July 28, 2022 12:30PM Woodmen Valley Chapel 290 E. Woodmen Road Colorado Springs,, CO 80919 Phone: 719-599-8652 Final Resting Place Pikes Peak National Cemetery 10545 Drennan Road Colorado Springs, CO 80925