Edna L. Giesige

Edna L. Giesige, age 97, of Holgate passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 4, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on April 25, 1920 outside of North Creek in Putnam County, the daughter of Albert and Monica (Roof) Okuley.  She attended Foltz Elementary School and Miller City High School.  She often shared fond memories of growing up on the farm, helping her dad and siblings husk and shuck corn and milk cows.  On May 23, 1939 she married Charles Giesige, who preceded her in death on February 4, 1978.  A full time homemaker until her eleven children were raised, she then spent 15 years working at the Campbell Soup Company in Napoleon.  She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Bavaria, its Rosary Altar Society, and the Catholic Ladies of Columbia.  She took great pride in arranging bouquets for the church as a member and chairman of the Altar Flower Committee for many years.  She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, seldom missing any of their school sporting events.  She will be remembered for her warm and friendly smile, her love of country music, her beautiful flower garden, and for the decorations that adorned her house and yard during every holiday.

She is survived by 10 children: Victoria (Larry) Samlow of Holgate, William (Kathy) of Ayersville, Patricia (Jim) Giesige-Walker of Norco, California, Samuel of Holgate, Connie Mitchell of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ginny (Steve) Robinson of Indianapolis, IN, Charles (Jan) of Atlanta, Georgia, Theodore (Beth) of Rohnert Park, California, Katharine (Jeff) Houser of Glen Haven, Colorado, and Nicholas (Julie) of Holgate.  Also surviving are a brother, Nelson Okuley of Ayersville: sisters Marie Hale of Wauseon and Marjorie Brown of Williamsburg, Michigan; 31 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 7 step great grandchildren and 4 step great-great grandchildren.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by her son, Eugene; brothers, Clarence Okuley and Marcus Okuley; and sisters, Adeline Gordon, Ruth Mosler, and Irene Warnimont.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 7, 2017 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Bavaria with Father Nicholas Cunningham officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation is from 2-8:00 pm on Monday at Zachrich Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Holgate, with a rosary service at 1:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.