Gisela Jungblut

After a long illness, Gisela Althoff Jungblut peacefully passed away on March 21st and was greeted at heaven’s gate by her beloved father, Wilhelm Althoff and mother, Mathilde Wolters Althoff. Gisela joyfully entered this world on July 16, 1939 in Coesfeld Germany where she happily spent her childhood and teen years with her brother, Klaus Althoff; sisters, Thilde Moog and Helma Seiwald.

During a visit to Holland, Michigan in 1961 to spend time with her Aunt Elly, she met her future husband, Leo Jungblut. They married on August 25th, 1962, and were later blessed with her two surviving sons, Mark and Michael. Gisela embraced motherhood with an energy and gusto that was later shared in the Holland community. Gisela, who was easily recognized by her laughter and enthusiasm, and her spoken English, tinged with her charming German accent, was respected and loved by all who knew her.

Soon after the birth of her boys, Gisela quickly became a community force through her involvement in Junior Welfare League. Gisela was ultimately President JWL and over the years she was involved in numerous fund-raisers such as the Follies, and the revised bi-centennial edition of the popular Eet Smaklik cookbook. Gisela was known as a wonderful hostess and a cook par excellence. It was always an honor to be invited to her home for memorable dinners laced with lots of laughter. Among her other passions she loved tennis, musical and theatrical events, shopping and singing in her beloved Edelweiss Choir.

Due to a series of unfortunate incidents, Gisela moved to Grand Rapids in 1980 to rebuild her life and be the best mother for her son, Michael. Once again due to her magnetic personality, she quickly rose to be manager for several prominent travel agencies in the area. In her semi-retirement years, she was receptionist/greeter at the Steelcase corporate office. Gisela loved engaging all the young, upwardly mobile, business professionals at Steelcase and even taught them a little German. This was not as easy as you might think, but she was up for the task and while brightening their day in the process. Gisela brought her enthusiasm to the best days of her career until she fully retired at age 77.

Gisela’s ultimate passion and honored role was Omi (grandmother) for her precious granddaughters, Kira and Krista. This was her crowning glory and she would drop everything at a moment’s notice to spend time with them. Long walks, trips to the pond to see the “fishies”, teaching a little German and a lot of laughter gave her joy beyond what words can express.

Surviving are her sons, Mark, residing in Vero Beach FL, Michael; daughter-in-law, Rachael and granddaughters, Kira Kay and Krista Marie from Lowell, MI.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, March 30th at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. Visitation at 10:00 am, followed by a Catholic Mass at 11:00 am and immediately afterwards, an interment procession at the Chapel Hill Cemetery on Patterson Ave. A memorial tribute has been set up for Gisela at the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=800678&fr_id=1060&pg=fund) and donations are requested in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com.