Bernice “Brownie” Giessel
Bernice Helen Giessel (Brownie), age 78, of Adams, Wisconsin died Sunday, May 1, 2016 at her home in Adams, Wisconsin.
Memorial services will be 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 07, 2016 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adams, Wisconsin. Rev. John Krebs will officiate. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Interment will be at the Mt. Repose Cemetery, Friendship, Wisconsin at a later date.
Bernice was born March 11, 1938 in Quincy Township, Wisconsin to Elmer and Gertrude (Hamstengel) Pflughoeft. She attended Five Oaks and White Creek Grade Schools and graduated from Adams Friendship High School on June 1, 1956, She married Clyde Giessel Jr. on May 3, 1958 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adams, Wisconsin.
Bernice was employed at the Adams County Welfare Department from 1956 to 1959. In 1966, she worked part-time for the County Clerks Office and for Raymond Gieringer, who was District Attorney at the time. Bernice was Raymond Gieringer’s legal secretary, until he was appointed judge in 1972. From August 1972 to August 1991, she was appointed Register in Probate and Juvenile Clerk for Adams County. From 1991 to 1998, Bernice was a legal assistant to Attorney Richard Cross at Cross, Mercer, & Maffei in Wisconsin Dells. In 1998 to 2009, she was a legal assistant for Mark J. Gieringer. She went on to be a corporate guardian for Upper Chamber Inc. until her retirement.
Bernice enjoyed singing in the church choir, making costumes for the Sand County Players, and volunteering her time as a guardian. At home she enjoyed sewing, crafts, cooking, baking and later in life bird watching. She enjoyed strolling through the County Market grocery shopping and visiting with people she knew. She loved camping, going to the river land, and driving her little boat up and down the river with her first mate, Janice Walter. She would entertain around a campfire and even on stage by playing the spoons or the stump fiddle. One of her most rewarding roles in the community was being Mrs. Santa at the Holiday Christmas Parade and Exceptional Citizens Christmas Party. Brownie was an avid horseshoe player, bowler and even tried her luck at shooting pool. She loved watching the Brewer and Packer games. Bernice was fond of watching her grandson in lawn mower races at DJ’s Bar & Grill. Her most precious time was spent with her friend, Marvin Ingersoll and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bernice was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Ladies VFW Auxiliary Post 6279.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Gertrude Pflughoeft; brother, Edward Pflughoeft; husband, Clyde Giessel Jr.; son, Danny Giessel; and father-in-law, Clyde Sr. (Millie) Giessel and mother in-law, Madeline Werner.
Survivors:
Son: Alan Giessel of Friendship, Wisconsin
Daughter: Diane Osborn of Adams, Wisconsin
Grandchild: Heath Anderson of Adams, Wisconsin
Grandchild: Trevor Giessel of Adams, Wisconsin
Grandchild: Chase (Elizabeth) Giessel-Plentywolf of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Grandchild: John Cole Osborn of Adams, Wisconsin
Grandchild: Matthew D. (Nicole) Giessel of Portage, Wisconsin
Grandchild: Jessica (Michael) Little of Virginia Beach, VA
Great-Granddaughter: Alexis Little of Virginia Beach, VA
Great-Grandson: Chase Plentywolf of Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Great-Granddaughter: Eve Plentywolf of Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Great-Grandson: Jaxson Little of Virginia Beach, VA
Great-Granddaughter: Anna Plentywolf of Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Good Friend: Marvin Ingersoll of Adams, Wisconsin
Good Friend: Janice Walter of Adams
Sister: Joyce (Kenneth) Schilling of Friendship, Wisconsin
Sister: Fay Heitman of Adams, Wisconsin
Sister: Karen Collins of Adams, Wisconsin
Sister: Lorraine (Raymond) Baine of Wausau, Wisconsin
Brother-in-law: Ronald “Bob” Giessel of Adams, Wisconsin
Further survived by step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The family would like to thank Melanie Nawrot and Karen Collins for the loving care they provided mom.
Alan and Diane, so sorry to hear about your Mom passing. She will be remembered by everyone who knew her, as the life of party. She had such a great sense of humor and she will be missed by many.
Thinking of your families at this difficult time. You are in our thoughts.
Deepest sympathy too Brownie family. She will be missed by many.
Diane and family, Sending my deepest sympathy. May God help you through this difficult time.
To the Giessel Family, so sorry for your loss…Bob Wearing and Pam
Diane,
So sorry for your loss, our moms had a lot of fun together. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family
To the Family & Sisters of Brownie – So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, Brownie was always such a joy to be around. God be with all of you at this sad time. Hans & Dorothy (Reichhoff) Menck
Diane, Alvie and the Giessel family,
Our hearts go out to you in this time of sorrow. Brownie was “unique” and truly “an angel on earth”. Have comfort that she is with Junior and Danny and in a better place. I am sure she is saving a place for you all. May God Bless.
Our sympathy goes out to you Diane and your family…….
Joyce, Fay, Karen, Lorraine, Diane, Al: My heartfelt sympathy to you and yours in the loss of Brownie. Thinking back through the years I have so many good memories. She is at peace now with no more suffering. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time
Diane and Al, I am heart broken to hear of Brownie’s passing. My deepest sympathies to all of your families. Downtown Brown was very dear in my heart and had been on my mind lately. My heart will be with all of you today. Please ask Al to give you a bigger and longer hug in proxy for me. God say that she was getting weak and tired. She was asked to let go so that she may rest and rejuvenate in His loving arms. Rest in Peace Brownie. Give my love to Junior and Danny.
My condolences to Brownie’s family.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Fond memories of Brownie and Doris Cleland when I was bailiff for the Courts back in the day. Spent a lot of hours and laughs with these ladies when juries were out deliberating. I was honored to know Brownie and the opportunity to spend time with her. Quite the gal.
My deepest sympathies to Brownie’s family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Bless you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family. Brownie was a very special lady.
Diane, Al and Family
Brownie was always a joy to talk to and my favorite thing about her was her laugh. It always came from the heart. Thinking of you all at this time of loss.
Diane, Al & Family,
In friendship and with eternal gratitude for all Brownie has done for all of us over the years, we send our deepest sympathy.
Mike, Jill and Family
Our condolences to the family. The lights will be much brighter in heaven.
AL, DIANE AND FAMILY, SO SAD TO HEAR ABOUT BROWNIES PASSING, MAY SHE REST IN PEACE, AMEN
Sending our prayers to Brownie’s family.
Alan and Diane, our deepest sympathies. Brownie was a wonderful person and a great co-worker. We had many fun years together. She was always there for us. We will be thinking of you during this time.
Matt,
Sounds like your Grandma was a very special lady. We know she holds a very special place in your heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. My sincere sympathy to all of your family.
Diane and Family,
So sorry for your lose. Brownie was a wonderful woman. We are glad that we got to know her. Prayers for your family.
Mary & Bill Deane
So sorry for your loss. Brownie will be greatly missed by all as she was such a giving and caring person. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
So saddened to hear of Brownie’s passing, may you all find peace in remembering all the amazing memories you have. She was such an amazing and wonderful lady and I have such fond memories of being at the Court House with her and my Grandma. I bet they’ll be laughing and reminiscing in no time. God gained another angel. May He wrap you in his arms and comfort you all at this painful time!
Diane and Alan, Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your Mother, You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless
Brownie was one of those special people I knew as a 1956 AF classmate. We all loved and wanted to associate with her. She will be dearly missed. Our condolences to the family.
So sorry for you loss, she was such a wonderful lady.
Our deepest sympathy and prayers for all of Brownie’s sisters and family. She was a good friend in high school, always lots of fun. I was shocked to see this on Facebook today.
May your memories help ease this difficult time.
I have a lot of good memories of the fun times I had with Brownie. I will always cherish those memories. Praying for the Lord’s Peace & His Comfort for all.
Sincere condolences to the family of “Brownie”.
We’ll miss seeing Brownie at our high school reunion and reminiscing with her about all of the good times we shared. She was a wonderful friend. Sending our sincere sympathy to her family.
Harold and Dorothy
Thinking of all of you. We send our love!
Al, Diane, Matt and family…..So sorry for your loss!! Brownie was such a nice lady!!!Best wishes to you…..RIP BROWNIE!!!
So Sorry for your loss she was a wonderful lady and will be missed dearly!
So sorry Al and Diane and family such a great and fun lady! Thinking of you all.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Giessel Family.
Brownie was one of my very favorite people she will be sadly missed…
She shot on my pool team for a few years and always had us all laughing.
What a great lady I will miss ya brownie!?
To the family of Brownie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. She was a wonderful friend and will be missed. We spent so many State Bowling Tournaments and Hodags together.
We are saddened to hear about Brownie’s passing. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that others care..
Diane my heart goes out to you and your family. It is so hard to lose a Mom!! I will be thinking of you in the days ahead and after. If I can do anything just ask. Always Karen Cole
sorry for your loss,brownie was a good friend to bronco and myself(charisse). she will be missed. rip brownie now your with junior.
We are so sorry to hear of Brownie’s passing. May you remember all of the good times, and now she is in a better place now. God’s Blessing on all of you. Audrey (Gulrud) and Norbert Beck.
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of your loss. She was so sweet, and always understanding with our disabled clients at the county. She would always give people the benefit of the doubt.
Diane and family so sorry for the passing of your Mom. She was a special lady. Enjoy the memories you have to share.
I will miss my god mother. She could always make us laugh. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless!!!
So sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you and family.
Diane,
I have so many fond memories of your Mom. Hope your memories will give you the strength to get through the rough days ahead. So very sorry for your loss.
So sorry for you loss, our hearts go out to you.
So sorry to hear of Brownies passing. Such A happy lady. Always A smile for everyone.
Al, Diane and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Brownie’s passing. She was loved and touched the heart of many. May God be with you all during this time of sadness.
Hugs and Prayers to you all.
Jennifer
So sorry for your loss. God bless, thinking of you cuz’s. Love Dawn
Al and Diane…and family…we are so sad to see God take another beautiful flower! She was an amazing lady and we were blessed to have known her! She will be greatly missed by so many! Prayers and hugs to all of you!
Diane and Family,
My condolences. Brownie was most pleasant to work with over the years.
Sorry for your loss! She was an amazing, caring, and loving lady! She always had a smile on her face! She will be missed greatly!
Diane and Al, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a special lady.
Diane, al , and family. So sorry for your loss. God bless !
Diane, Al and family~Thinking and praying for God’s comfort. She was a sweet lady. God bless and hugs~
Thank you for sharing Brownie with us all over the years. I enjoyed seeing her out in the community and having a good time with her friends. My sympathy to you all.
Sorry for you loss. She will be greatly missed. God bless your family.
Al, Diane and family- We have so many fun memories of Brownie and your entire family! What a great woman who will be greatly missed. So glad we got to see her at Easter! God bless!!! We are here for anything you may need!
Diane & Al,
So sorry for your loss
She was a great lady
My condolences to the Geissel Family. Brownie was an amazing woman and my heart goes out to you all.
To all the extended family of “Brownie”…..She will be missed by all who knew her. Thoughts and prayers are
coming your way. Mary Lee and Gordie Klaus
So sorry to hear of Brownies passing, she was an amazing woman and will be missed, my prayers go out to the entire family.
So sorry to hear about Brownie’s passing.
Deepest sympathies to the entire family.
Sympathy to Brownie’s family and friends. She was a nice lady and always had a smile for me when I saw her. Rest in peace, Brownie
My deepest sympathy to the family
so sorry to hear about your mother she was a beautiful lady, I am sorry I never did meet you children but I know you are very special with your mothers heat, my family and the giessel family go back histories ago, gods love and blessings to you all pat
Sending my sympathy to Brownie’s sisters, to Al & Diane, and to all of her family. So many fun times to remember through the years. She will be missed by all.
Al, Diane, & Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you today.
Lots of love and hugs…Debbie & Donny
Our sincere condolences to Brownie’s family. Cherish the memories always. Romie and Shirley
Diane and Al, I am so sorry to hear about Brownie. She was such a fun lady to be around and such a kind hearted person. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Thinking of you with deepest sympathy. Julie & Bob Goodhue
Diane, Al ,Chase I feel your loss- what a brave woman with a will to fight her illness. Rest in peace Brownie-you are missed.
I am available to help in anyway-
So sorry for your families loss
We are so sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed your Mom. Cherish every memory.
Al and Diane:
I’m so sorry for your loss of your beautiful Mom. I loved her like a sister and she will be sorely missed.
Diane and Al,
So sorry for your loss. Please know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Chris and Fawn
Diane and Al, So sorry to hear, My deepest sympathy, if you need anything give me a call.
Deepest Sympathy in the loss of your Mom.
Our deepest sympathy to the family!
So sorry on your loss. Hold each other tight and share your memories.
Diane,
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find peace in your memories.
God Bless.