Berniece Gisel

Berniece L. Gisel, 93, of Palm Harbor, Florida, formally of Dallas, Texas and Bellevue, Iowa passed away Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Coral Oaks Independent Living, in Palm Harbor. A visitation will be held from 9:00 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue. Graveside services will follow at the Andrew cemetery, in Andrew, Iowa. Berniece was born June 7, 1922, in Nevinville, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Mable (Bolger) Bartlett. She grew up in Des Moines, where she met and married the love of her life Roland Alfred Gisel (Ron), on July 3, 1943. After WWII, they lived in Iowa; and then transferred to Florida, where their eldest son was born. Then they transferred back to Minnesota where their second son was born. Their eldest daughter was born in Iowa and youngest daughter born in Illinois. In 1957, they transferred to Dallas, Texas; where they spent more than 20 years raising their family. Upon Rons retirement, they moved back to Bellevue, Iowa, to be near family and friends. During those years Ron suffered from Parkinsons and Berniece insisted on being the caretaker and was adamant that he should remain home with her. After Ron passed in 1994, Berniece stayed in Bellevue for many years enjoying the comfort of family and friends. When it was time to move closer to her children, who are scattered around the United States; she chose Florida, where her eldest daughter resides. She spent many happy years at Coral Oaks Independent Living in Palm Harbor, Florida; where she made great friends and continued volunteering. Staying home, raising children was her delight. Berniece volunteered for the schools, the Boy Scouts and Camp Fire girls. She shuttled them to sports activities, music lessons, art lessons and various other activities. She and Ron played bridge and were quite involved at Wynnewood Presbyterian Church. After the children left home, she occupied her time babysitting for local families and traveling with her beloved husband on business trips. After the move to Bellevue, she continued volunteering, even painting nails for elderly women at the local nursing home. She never met a stranger and everyone who met Berniece always commented on how sweet she was. Those left to honor her memory include her children; Roland Rollie Gisel II, Mark (Dean) Gisel, Ronna Kelley, and Darra (Blake) Dotson; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her husband, parents, grandson, Shawn Gisel and five siblings. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may go to Camp Courageous, Monticello, Iowa. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com