Gisela H. Gaeke

Gisela Hanne-Lore Gaeke, 84, of Highlands, Texas, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021. She was born on December 1, 1936 in Deep, Germany to parents Rudolf Schmidt and Ella Runge Schmidt who preceded her in death along with her beloved husband Wilbert “Sonny” Gaeke; daughter Karen Gaeke; step-brother Stepsol Schmidt; and baby sister Ingrid Levy.

Gisela was a long time, active member of the Brethren Church, first attending Pasadena Brethren for many years and later joining Crosby Brethren Church. She loved her church and church family dearly and served on the Church Choir, participated in meals for shut-ins, Christian Sisters, and the Board of Elders. Gisela enjoyed cruising around with her sisters and many trips to the gambling room. She had many passions in life including working in her yard with the plants and flowers, cooking, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed shopping trips with her daughter Becky and going to get their nails done together; they also often liked to compete with each other’s cooking. Gisela was a sweet, outgoing person who never met a stranger and made friends everywhere she went. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Gisela leaves behind to cherish her memory her children Johnny Gaeke and wife Lana, Becky Reeves and husband Cliff; grandsons Robert Houston LaFerney and wife Samantha, John “J.W.” Gaeke and fiancé Dixie Goode; great-grandchildren Evelyn LaFerney and Callie Grace LaFerney; sister Helga Hilliard; brother Jürgen Schmidt and wife Ann along with numerous nephews, one niece, and her beloved church family.

A visitation for Gisela will be held 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 4, 2021 at Sterling-White Funeral Home, Highlands, Texas. Funeral services will take place 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 5, 2021 at Crosby Brethren Church with interment to follow at Sterling-White Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Robert LaFerney, John “J.W” Gaeke, Frank McKay, Jr., Bob Ward, Curt Roark, and Mike James. Honorary pallbearers are Gisela’s nephews.