Gisela & Vernon Mathisen, 90 & 92

Our loving and faithful parents, Gisela, born March 26, 1931 went to be with Jesus on Jan. 2, 2022 and Vernon, born April 18, 1931 sailed to Heaven on July 2, 2023.

There are moments when we hear your voices so clearly in our minds causing us to pause and reflect on all the love and wisdom you’ve left us with. You both gracefully survived WW2 in your own unique ways: Mom in Germany, reminding all of us to find the good in others — pushing back against cruelty with class and kindness; dad in Norway, mischievously facing the Nazis and putting sand in the gas tanks of their trucks — always taking care of the family and being the head of the household, even as a young boy.

They left their motherlands to come to the U.S.A. as a young couple, newly married in 1957, to chase and capture the American dream and raise their own children. They worked hard and remained a steadfast team. Vernon, who served in the U.S. Air Force and later became an engineer, was a creative and adventurous proud blue-eyed Norwegian Viking. Gisela was a nurse and social worker with a gifted mind and a nurturing heart for both people and her garden. Her heart overflowed with love for our Lord.

They loved to travel. They sailed from California down to the south of Baja, Mexico, and trekked all over Europe in a conversion van and all over the U.S. and Canada in an RV. They created their own slice of paradise on Marrowstone Island in the Puget Sound in Washington, which reminded them of happy days in peacetime Europe. There they built their own house, with expansive orchards and gardens in the town of Nordland, where they enjoyed stunning views of the ocean and the Olympic Mountains.

Blessed with many deep friendships and strong faith, they touched many lives. In their golden years, they relocated to Hayden, Idaho. They are survived by their three children, Steven Mathisen, Linda (Dan) Green and Brita (Rob) O'Rear and will forever be known as Morfar and Mormor to their four precious grandsons, Ryan, Brett, Shane and Trevor. Our beloved parents, you are home now in the arms of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for all you’ve given and done for us. We love you and know we will be reunited in Heaven.

Please visit Vernon and Gisela’s online memorial and sign their guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com