No headline

Gisela Wallace, 79

Our mother, Gisela Wallace, died April 21, 2017, at Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, two years after a breast cancer diagnosis. She was born in Cologne-Kalk, Germany, on the eve of World War II on Jan. 10, 1938, to Richard and Katherine Schulz. Her family lived through the Allied bombing raids on Cologne.

Our parents, Lewis and Gisela, fell in love while Dad was stationed at Hahn AFB outside Frankfurt. Mom worked on base as a NATO civil servant in transportation. The couple married on Sept. 2, 1962, in Meinz. Our dad adopted Mom’s young daughter, Ricci, at this time. Two sons, Micheal and Mark followed, and another daughter, Rebecca. The couple would pack up and move frequently from base to base, country to country. Our Mom made each move a new adventure for the Wallace family. We toured castles and badlands, salt mines and national parks.

Sadly, our father died on May 26, 1980, following a difficult four-year testicular cancer diagnosis. Mom was a trooper during this time; we are grateful for her loving care for our father.

Following his death, mom was left to raise three children by herself. Our big sister, Ricci, had since started a family of her own. Shortly, thereafter, mom moved the family back to Spokane where the family had once been stationed at Fairchild AFB in 1974. In recent years, Gisela lived in Coeur d’Alene. She enjoyed her view of Best Mountain, tending to her pretty yard and flowers, and the kindness of her neighbors.

At Gisela’s request, the family will not hold services. Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, Wash., is caring for the family.

Please, consider memorials to North Idaho Hospice. Our heartfelt thanks to Hospice and Comfort Keepers for their loving care.