- Born on: March 13, 1940
- Departed on: April 13, 2025
- Resided in: Cedar Rapids, IA
Gisela Maria Gunderson
Gisela Maria Gunderson, 85, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Gisela was born on March 13, 1940 in Insterburg, East Prussia. In 1953, she and her family immigrated to the United States arriving at Ellis Island on Labor Day in search of a better future. The family eventually settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Gisela graduated from Wilson High School in 1957.
Early in her career, Gisela worked at Coliins Radio Company and later pursued a path in real estate, working with Ronald Smith and Larry Sharp Realtors. With a lifelong desire to help others, she attended the University of Iowa to study nursing. However, her journey took a different turn when she met and married her first husband, John Knodle. Together they welcomed two beloved children, Marcus and Pamela. Though life eventually led them down separate paths, they remained united in their love for their children.
In 1983, she married Chuck Gunderson, and the couple began a new chapter together. Their lives took them to Clearwater, Florida, and later to Huntsville, Alabama, where Gisela owned and operated a beauty salon. Together, they enjoyed boating on the Tennessee River and traveling throughout the Western United States in their motorhome. They also cherished cruises through the Caribbean and trips to Europe. After Chuck’s retirement from the aerospace industry, the couple settled in Ft. Myers, Florida, where they owned and operated a marine air conditioning business.
Eventually, Gisela returned to Cedar Rapids, where she rekindled old friendships and made new ones. She found joy in cooking traditional German meals for her loved ones and a passionate and skilled duplicate bridge player. She recently reflected on her life with gratitude and fulfillment, stating simply, “I would do it all over again”
Gisela is lovingly remembered by her children, Marcus Knodle of Denver, Colorado, and Pamela Razor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her grandson, Jackson Razor, of Iowa City, Iowa; her sister, Margitta Grigg of Antioch, Illinois; her nieces, Julie Heil of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Kristi Batka of Ault, Colorado.
She is also survived by her stepchildren: Linda Cooper of Lowell, Michigan and husband Lee Schaab; Sherry Gunderson Schipper of Rockford, Michigan and husband Andy Schipper, and their daughter, Catherine, and Chuck Gunderson, Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and wife Darla, and their children, Tarah Guyer and Sean Thomas.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Gisela’s memory and legacy of love, resilience and adventure she leaves behind.
Gisela was born on March 13, 1940 in Insterburg, East Prussia. In 1953, she and her family immigrated to the United States arriving at Ellis Island on Labor Day in search of a better future. The family eventually settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Gisela graduated from Wilson High School in 1957.
Early in her career, Gisela worked at Coliins Radio Company and later pursued a path in real estate, working with Ronald Smith and Larry Sharp Realtors. With a lifelong desire to help others, she attended the University of Iowa to study nursing. However, her journey took a different turn when she met and married her first husband, John Knodle. Together they welcomed two beloved children, Marcus and Pamela. Though life eventually led them down separate paths, they remained united in their love for their children.
In 1983, she married Chuck Gunderson, and the couple began a new chapter together. Their lives took them to Clearwater, Florida, and later to Huntsville, Alabama, where Gisela owned and operated a beauty salon. Together, they enjoyed boating on the Tennessee River and traveling throughout the Western United States in their motorhome. They also cherished cruises through the Caribbean and trips to Europe. After Chuck’s retirement from the aerospace industry, the couple settled in Ft. Myers, Florida, where they owned and operated a marine air conditioning business.
Eventually, Gisela returned to Cedar Rapids, where she rekindled old friendships and made new ones. She found joy in cooking traditional German meals for her loved ones and a passionate and skilled duplicate bridge player. She recently reflected on her life with gratitude and fulfillment, stating simply, “I would do it all over again”
Gisela is lovingly remembered by her children, Marcus Knodle of Denver, Colorado, and Pamela Razor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her grandson, Jackson Razor, of Iowa City, Iowa; her sister, Margitta Grigg of Antioch, Illinois; her nieces, Julie Heil of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Kristi Batka of Ault, Colorado.
She is also survived by her stepchildren: Linda Cooper of Lowell, Michigan and husband Lee Schaab; Sherry Gunderson Schipper of Rockford, Michigan and husband Andy Schipper, and their daughter, Catherine, and Chuck Gunderson, Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and wife Darla, and their children, Tarah Guyer and Sean Thomas.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Gisela’s memory and legacy of love, resilience and adventure she leaves behind.
