Kesterson, Gisela

Gisela Kesterson, 71, a longtime resident of Iowa City, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, at home in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be held Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lensing Funeral Service, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City. On Saturday the family will host a time of food, refreshments and fellowship from 4 until 5 p.m. at First Church of the Open Bible, 1911 E Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids. The funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will follow the service at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City.

She operated Merle Norman stores at Eastdale Plaza and later at Sycamore Mall in Iowa City for 21 years.

Gisela is survived by her husband, Jack; son, David (Trudi) Kesterson of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Riley, Caleb and Haley Kesterson and Andrew Rodgers; Gisela's beloved pooch, Rico; sister, Eleanore Falb (Walter), and brothers, Norbert Frey (Marianne) and Helmut Gerhold (Maria), all of Germany; brother-in-law, Ray Kesterson (Shirley) of Spencer; sisters-in-law, Agnes Kesterson of Fort Dodge and Connie Kesterson of Charter Oak; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Margot; a daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl (Kesterson) Sueppel and Steve Sueppel; four grandchildren, Eleanore, Mira, Seth and Ethan; and brothers-in-law, Niles and Floyd Kesterson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Gisela Kesterson Memorial Fund.

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