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Carol Lee Geisel Obituary

Brought to you by Hall Funeral Services - Estevan

Carol Lee Geisel

Estevan, SK

August 23, 2020

Carol Lee Geisel Obituary

Carol Lee Geisel (nee Marklinger)
1959 – 2020

With tremendous sadness the family wishes to announce that Carol Geisel, late of Estevan, SK passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at the age of 60 years.

Carol is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Leslie Geisel; daughter Amanda (Mike) Welsh; son Jeremy (Kerri) Geisel and their two beautiful children Finn and Archer. Also left with precious memories are Carol’s siblings, Wayne (Nancy) Marklinger, Gary Marklinger, Mary Jane Davie (Frank Young) and Linda (Jim) Choquette. Carol will be greatly missed by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary Sandhoff, Lindsay Marklinger, Martha (Russ) Timmons, John (Rose) Geisel, Ken (Darlene) Geisel, Elora Shandler, Jean (Brian) Mathieson, Donna (Norman) Klatt and Lawrence (Robin) Geisel. Carol is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many, many special friends.

Carol was predeceased by her parents, Alice and Allen Marklinger; brother Lloyd; sister Gail; sister Marie (Henrie) Tessier and her second parents, Elizabeth and John Geisel.

Carol worked alongside her husband Leslie after marriage on the farm and did things she thought she could never do. Carol would sometimes say “I can’t do that” and Leslie would say “how do you know if you don’t try?”. She would give it a try and always succeeded!! After leaving the farm Carol worked in long term care in Lampman and also in Estevan before finishing her career doing the sterilization of surgical equipment at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan. Carol retired from her paying job in 2007 and started a new chapter of her life.

Carol loved her flowers, doing crafts, playing games, playing golf, but mostly spending time with friends and family. Carol was very proud of her family and would do anything she could for them. Carol’s pride always showed through when she could spend time with her grandsons, Finn and Archer whom she absolutely adored. Carol also had several special friends that she loved spending time with. Carol and Les spent the last ten winters or so in the sunny south where she won the hearts of many people she met through her kindness, sincere love and compassion for everyone. The world was a much better place with her in it.

Rest in peace Carol.

A Public Visitation was held on Friday, August 28, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. A Private Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan with Rev. Sathiadas Antony presiding.

In lieu of flowers donations may to made in memory of Carol to a charity of your choice.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan cared for Carol’s family – Deb Heidinger, Funeral Director.

MEMORIES OF MOM

AMANDA
Mom was a kind, caring, soft spoken, loyal, determined and very loving person. There are so many people that are proud to have called her their friend. We were lucky enough to have her as our friend, but more importantly, to call her Mom.

JEREMY
We have countless memories of her throughout our lives. Mom had the hugest heart and was a constant in our lives for everything. She loved to celebrate but was also always there for those big learning moments in life that have helped shape us into what we are today.

AMANDA
Birthdays were very special to Mom. She made the best birthday cakes. When we were little she made a guitar cake, 3 dimensional panda bear cake, cars, money cakes, strawberry shortcake and so much more. When I had a love of
cheesecake, she found the best recipe that used 5 packages of cream cheese and made sure that it was the go to recipe when I requested cheesecake for my birthday.

Mom always made notes in the cookbooks as to if the recipe was very good, good or when one of us didn't like it or if it was a favourite. She never strayed from the recipe. If she didn't have an ingredient she would go to the store just for that one item. No substitutions. When she would come to visit us, she typically showed up with a cooler full of our favorite things. Lots of times it was homemade cabbage rolls, lasagna, cinnamon buns, cookies, muffins.

Mom was incredibly loyal to all those she loved, just don't get on her bad side. Rumor has it that one of her so called friends bad mouthed me. I didn't know exactly what happened but all of a sudden we didn't see her anymore.

JEREMY
I was playing goal one time in a hockey game in Bienfait. I had been scored on several times and one of the other players mom's was yelling things about my goaltending – calling me a sieve or something. Mom quickly defended me and nearly got into a fight with the woman. The ref had to blow the whistle and the my dad (who was coaching our team) had to run over to help break it up!

For any given holiday or special occasion, she was sure to have an outfit, or a special treat, or a decoration or all three at the same time! If there was a special event, Mom would be there for it. I remember whenever she would come to our houses, if there was a holiday or an occasion, she would be sure to be dressed for the occasion. Green for St Patricks day, red for Valentine's day. Don't forget the decorations. She made sure that she decorated for every party. She often arrived with sandals, hats, bags, things to stick on your car or in the garden. She wanted people to feel special and to celebrate all of the fun things. Before the kids were born, one might have rolled their eyes at all of these things but she would still do it no matter what we thought. Money wasn't an object. It was just so important to celebrate all of the occasions.

AMANDA
Sunday dinner became a tradition when I moved out. I remember the first time Mike came over for Sunday dinner. Of course, it's a special event so the good china had to come out. Poor Mike didn't know what he had coming when we teased him about having to hand wash the dishes and we weren't able to use the dishwasher. Mom of course said, don't worry, I'll wash them.


JEREMY
Mom gave to every charity and child that came around fund raising for their team or school. Any kid that showed up at the door was sure to walk away with a sale at our house. You know, she had to buy the chocolate to support the kids. She LOVED Halloween and handing out candy to the kids. If she was working and wouldn't be home she always made sure that someone was there right after school to cover for her so that nobody would be left out.

AMANDA
If there was ever a time she noticed you had her eye on something, she was the first to swoop in and buy it for you. One time we were at a craft fair and I noticed this wind decoration and wanted to make sure to go back at the end to get one. Mom of course was right beside me as I walked up to the booth to make my choice and made sure to tell me she was buying. It was a gift just because she wanted to. Of course, she also made sure to pick out one for herself which she made sure Dad hung in their yard for everyone to see.

JEREMY
Mom loved traditions. I remember when my Grandma died, my Mom continued the tradition I had with my Grandma of driving into the city for shopping and letting me leave with a little toy car. Whenever we were together for Christmas, Mom would put a Hershey's kiss into the handmade ornament our Grandma Betty made for us and would give us a kiss on the cheek with it because that's what Grandma Betty would do.

Christmas was my Mom's favourite. She loved the togetherness, the giving, and the love. One thing I remember was getting to open a present on Christmas Eve – just one so you had to pick well. I remember Kerri's first Christmas with us, she got Amanda and Kerri matching towels with their names on them. It made Kerri feel like part of the family.

We spent so much time with our Saskatoon family. At Christmas, she was always sure to have lotto tickets for everyone. It became a tradition for all of us to sit at the kitchen table and scratch the tickets. Mom made sure to always send her friends and family gifts for their birthdays and all other special occasions. She loved to give.

AMANDA
When my friend Tyson's house burnt down, she immediately got a care package together to send to him. She was meticulous about the things she put in the package making sure she thought of all the things he lost and the things he might need. In the end she sent two giant boxes along with a money transfer to be sure he was able to get back on his feet again.

She worked in long term care for many years and loved so many of her residents as if they were her family. She grieved their losses and celebrated their lives with all of her co-workers. One of her patients had Huntington's disease. Mom always bought Amarylis to support Huntington's Society at Christmas. Still to this day I make sure to buy them thinking of Mom and Lloyd as I do.

Mom loved to golf with her friends and family. At one time, Mom organized ladies night. The event started small where she would figure out how many people were coming and would book t-times. She would be the first to arrive to make sure all went smoothly. She prepared for this, like she did for everything. Over time ladies night went from a handful of people to an organized weekly event where times were just blocked off. As you all know, it's not an event without some sort of a celebration. She made sure to have LesLee Consulting immediately sign up to sponsor some of the prizes. Of course, Mom being Mom, there had to be prizes and the events eventually got bigger and better. She always wanted everyone to be included and for everyone to have a good time.

Mom loved to play games with friends and family whenever she could. If she found a game she liked, you were sure to receive it as a gift. She loved to attend game night in Arizona. I'm absolutely certain her presence will be missed but she will always be remembered.

JEREMY
Even with her Parkinson's diagnosis, she stayed positive and made sure everyone around her was happy. When it was extremely hard on her, she made sure to make the best of things. She was always thinking of others. Even when she was in the hospital she was so happy to see us and made sure we were taken care of ensuring we had a good sleep and had something to eat. One time when she was taken to the hospital late in the evening and into the night, the 6 of us were in the room giggling about Mom laughing about the ambulance sirens being for her. We got in trouble from the nurse for being too loud and having too much fun.

Mom loved animals, especially dogs and cats. She and Ginger were inseparable. Mom considered her one of her kids. The thought of Ginger always brings a smile to my face because I think of how happy the two were together.

AMANDA
She loved to share the good news, share the secrets and be excited for everyone. Mike often tells the story about when he phoned Mom and Dad to ask their permission. He said Mom squealed and shouted yes, yes! Almost like she was asked to marry Mike. She then proceeded to call me every day until it happened to ask me if I had any news to share. She could hardly contain herself when she got exciting news. Sometimes she would even lead the sentence with, you can't tell anyone but... I recall many times telling her that if it's supposed to be a secret she should wait. Her answer was that I won't tell anyone and it's too exciting to not share. Saskatoon Geisel's, make it known that your secrets were our secrets.

JEREMY
I remember how happy Mom was when she found out we were having a baby. We knew they were visiting that day, so we taped off some areas in our spare room with painter's tape. In each square we wrote what each was going to be: “crib”, “changing table” “diaper pail”. When Mom & Dad arrived to our house that day, we told them we were doing some renos in our spare room and took them in there. We didn't say anything and let them figure it out. I've never seen my Mom so happy.

Then when Kerri was pregnant with Archer, we had Finn deliver a note to Grandma and Grandpa about him being a big brother. Once again, Mom was overjoyed with the news. She loved surprises.

Finn and Archer were the apple of her eye. She loved to spend time with them, whether it was baking cookies or muffins, colouring, crafting, looking at pictures, golfing, going to the splash park and doing whatever it is that the boys wanted to do. She was always prepared for when the boys came and had all sorts of fun activities waiting for them. Even if the boys were playing video games, she always sat beside them while they played. Watching attentively. Sometimes she would ask questions but most of the time she would sit and watch. She loved just to sit with the boys and listen to them talk about whatever came to their mind – be it the video game they were just playing or the last book they had just finished reading or whatever they had been up to since the last time they were together. She loved every minute with them.
When I became a parent, it sure did make me appreciate all the things she did for us and the sacrifices she made for us. Helping dad on the farm – driving combine or grain truck, always driving me to hockey and Amanda to organ practice. She did it safely but with great speed at times.

AMANDA
So many memories to cherish:
Fireworks, Snowbirds, Christmas's in Saskatoon, all of our vacations with friends and family.

Finn and Archer,
Your Dad and I were the same age as you when we lost our Grandma. It is so hard to lose a Grandma that's been such a special part of your life. We commit to you that we will help her memory live on and will be there for you always. We have been fortunate to have a Grandma that defines what a great Grandma is. I hope that you remember all of the times you spent with her. Please cherish her memory always. Remember that Grandma is there for you always, even when you can't see her, you will feel her around you. She loved you with all her heart.

Mom,
I promise to make you proud
by living each day to the fullest
being grateful for what we have
spend time with friends and family & be content to just sit around
Be sure to make acknowledge the special days and events
Be a happiness cheerleader
Use more emoji's in my messages
Celebrate all of the things!

JEREMY
My Mom's joy of life and her love of family is something I wish she knew I admired so much. I think I didn't realize until she was gone how much it meant to me.

We share traits with Mom that will make us think of her forever:
-My extra-loud sneezes that scare my wife (she says I have no “ah” to my “choo”), being short, falling asleep sitting in a chair
-Finn's tender heart and left-handedness
-Archer's giving spirit and love of crafts and animals

Mom and Dad probably have no idea how much they've shaped our idea of marriage and of family. They were a couple we all should aspire to be like. They loved spending time together – loving, laughing and just plain living. We enjoyed becoming “friends” with our parents as adults.

My Mom has inspirational quotes on her walls and hung in frames all around the house. To some, they seem like cliches, but she LIVED all of them. “Friendship is a gift of laughter and courage and endless support”, “good friends are like stars – you don't always see them but you know they are there”, “live to love – love to live”. Mom loved with all of her heart. She was so full of love that it flowed over and filled others' cups. We should all be more like Mom.

We love you Mom and miss you everyday.

MIKE
I don’t know what or how I should be saying, but I do know that Carol would defend me either way. We had a special connection whether it is our love of sweets, the love of raising a glass with friends and family, the love of pleasing others, or just the love of you daughter and family. Winning over Amanda was the hard part, still is, winning over you luckily wasn’t as hard, I hope it is because of the trust in how you have raised your daughter to make the right decisions in life. I will always do my best to make you proud of your daughter’s choice, so you have nothing to worry about. There are a lot of special women in my life, you are one of the sweetest. Amanda asked me on our drive here, what my favorite memory was of you. I had a hard time answering that question… my answer now that I have had time to think and not cry is… all of them. All my memories of you are my favorite. That’s the thing about you Carol, you leave other better after you meet them. Those with big hearts tend to let it all go to others until there is nothing left for themselves, and that what I feel you did and would have wanted.
Some things I learned from you and will always do and cherish is;
• Celebrate, celebrate big or small, especially the small, those can be the most important and meaningful.
• Cookies for breakfast are perfectly fine, that’s why they are called “breakfast cookies”.
• Don’t be afraid to eat your desert first, that way you won’t be too full to eat it.
• Stop to smell the flowers.
• Love your friends and family, be excited to see them, talk to them and be sad to say goodbye, but happy you had that time. That’s love!
As easy it is to say, it’s going to be hard to do, but I will celebrate you always. I am happy I got to talk to you today, and am very sad to say goodbye, but very happy we had this time together.

I love you Carol

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Carol Lee Geisel.