Isabelle B. Giesen

April 13, 1908 - July 8, 2006

ISABELLE GIESEN VULCAN- Isabelle B. Giesen age 98 beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt passed into eternity on July 8, 2006. She had been a resident at Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Kingsford, MI, since February 2005. Isabelle, the youngest daughter of the late Medard and Zepherine DuCharme was born on April 13, 1908 and lived all of her life in the Norway-Vulcan area. She was a committed member of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Vulcan. As a young woman, she was employed as a telephone operator in Norway for Michigan Bell. She married Lawrence Giesen on September 9, 1935 in St. Mary’s Church in Norway. He preceded her in death on June 8, 1997. To supplement the family income, she worked at a mink farm, as a sales clerk at the Norway Ben Franklin Store, and as a hostess for Stanley Home Products. She finally retired from the VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain in 1977 after 22 years of service, where she was employed as a switchboard operator. Isabelle is survived by her daughters Mary Jean (Jim) Smith of Chetek, WI, Arlene (Bob) Foti of Menomonee Falls, WI and Margaret (Ken) Linsenbigler of Vulcan; sons Joseph (Suzanne) Giesen of Vulcan and Edward (Cheryl) Giesen of Marquette; 16 grandchildren Gretchen (Jeff) Messer, Rita Smith, Renee (Ed) Bradley, Nicole Smith, Monica (Sam) Prentiss, Dan (Amy) Giesen, David (Christel) Giesen, Annette (Todd) Neuman, Beth Holmberg, Kris Giesen, Michael (Brooke) Giesen, Jim Foti, Kathryn (Chad) Barrett, Heidi (Al) Morgan, Michelle Linsenbigler and Matthew Linsenbigler; 19 great grandchildren; 1 great-great granddaughter; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her seven brothers Omer, Napoleon, Phillip, Paul, Eugene, Joseph and Origin and her four sisters Emma, Mary, Cecelia and Loma (Sister M.Centina, OSF). Isabelle will be remembered by all who loved her for her infectious laugh, her home baked bread and chocolate chip cookies, her famous French pork pie (Toutere), and especially for her deep faith. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 11 from 3-5 p.m. at St. Barbara's Church in Vulcan. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at St. Barbara's Church with Fr. Joy Adimakkeel presiding. Interment will be on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Norway Township Cemetery.