Mary B. Giesen
Mary Bernadette Giesen, age 83, of Hilbert, died on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at her home in Hilbert. She was born March 13, 1935 in Newton-le-Willows, United Kingdom, daughter of the late James & Agnes (York) Flanagan.
Mary began working as a clerical secretary at an air force base in the UK where she literally bumped into Donald Giesen knocking the stack of punch cards she was carrying out of her hands. After a lengthy apology and countless attempts at a courtship, Donald won her heart and the couple were eventually married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Newton-le-Willows on June 15, 1957. In 1958, the couple moved back to the United States and eventually settled in the Hilbert area following Donald’s retirement from the Air Force. In March of 1962 Mary was proud to become a United States citizen.
While in Hilbert, she worked as a crossing guard and volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother. She worked at Hilbert High School where she utilized her baking skills. After Mary’s work at Hilbert High School, she worked for St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton where she had cooked and baked for countless patients and eventually retired from. Mary also volunteered countless hours reading to children at St. Mary’s Elementary School and took time out of her busy life to help out at St. Vincent de Paul.
In her younger days, she cherished nights when she could dress up and go out dancing with her husband. In her retirement, Mary loved to laugh and share stories with her friends in the exercise class at the Hilbert Community Center. She had a tremendous sense of humor with story upon story to share and Mary always appreciated the close knit community that was her home in Hilbert.
She is survived by her children: Mark Giesen, Patrick (Xiao Wen Liu) Giesen, Paul (Dawn) Giesen, Timothy (Cindy) Giesen; 4 grandchildren: Michael (Emma) Giesen, April Giesen and her special friend, Jesse, Sarah Giesen & Rachel Giesen; and a sister: Patricia Jones. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Donald; infant children: Michael, Mary & Patricia; her sisters: Nora & Monica; her brothers: James, Leo, Kevin, Gerald & Francis; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Marion & Edward Mirsberger.
Funeral service will be at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at St. Mary Catholic Church (108 S. 6th St.) in Hilbert with Rev. Michael Betley officiating. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 9:00 am until 11:45 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.