Gisela Reidies

Gisela (Henke) Reidies, 87, of LaSalle died peacefully on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at Country Comfort Retirement Home in Princeton.

A memorial service will take place at 10:00 AM on October 7, 2017, at the First Congregational Church in LaSalle with Rev. David Esche officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in La Salle. The Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting the family with arrangements.

Gisela was born October 24, 1929 in Ottersweier, Germany, daughter of Alfred and Emma Henke.  During her studies in Freiburg, Germany she met Arno Reidies.  They married in 1953 in Hornberg, Germany, and in 1954, emmigrated to the United States, settling in LaSalle.  For most of their more than 50 years of marriage, they made their home in “die alte Burg” on Fourth Street.

Gisela studied early childhood education, and her love of children and animals was apparent throughout her life.  She was active in many community organizations such as the LaSalle Women’s Club, the Illinois Valley Garden Club, and the Community Concerts, often taking on leadership roles.  She was elected to the LaSalle Grade School Board of Education, serving 2 terms, and also served on the board of the Oakwood Cemetery.  Gisela was a most gracious hostess, an avid tennis player, and an accomplished gardener and flower arranger.  For many years she was the financial secretary at the First Congregational Church in LaSalle, where she was also an active member and sang in the choir. 

Gisela leaves her three children, Heidi Reidies of Roxbury, Connecticut; Peter Reidies of LaSalle; and Fred Reidies of North Bend, Oregon; her grandchildren Gretchen (Esche) Chiu, Christina Esche, Jessica Reidies, Stefan Esche, Lindsay (Reidies) Wilson, and Chelsea Reidies; and her great-grandchildren Chloe, Brandyn, and Logan.  She also leaves her brother, Siegfried Henke, and several nieces and nephews in Germany.

She was predeceased by her husband, Arno, and her sister, Else (Henke) Liebich.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association. 

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