Obituaries

Giselle Eva Marie Kroebel

Photo of Giselle  Eva Marie Kroebel
Giselle Eva Marie Kroebel, 83, of Rogers, Ark., passed from this life on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at Washington Regional in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born Jan. 31, 1929, in Katowice, Poland to Alfonse Thomalla and Elfriede Bartodje Thomalla. Giselle and her family escaped to free Germany after being captive for 18 months in Russia. Giselle took a job at Hahn Air Base as a telephone operator; she was responsible for lighting the runway so that the 53rd Fighter Bomber Wing and later Chuck Yeager could land. At 52, after raising her four children, Giselle went to college and earned her Undergraduate Degree in Political Science at the University of North Texas. She returned to college once again at age 72 to achieve a Masters in Adult and Higher Education from Morehead State University in Kentucky. Giselle's life was dedicated to her children and husband. She worked in banking, was an educator and PR Administrator for the Girl Scouts of America. She was a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, was president of The Women's League, PTA President, Girl Scout Leader and Volunteer Grandparent of America teaching at risk youth. Giselle loved animals, the outdoors and was a true humanitarian. Giselle is survived by two sons, Martin and Michael Kroebel, both of Albuquerque, N.M.; two daughters, Bianca Thayer, and husband, Mark, of Albuquerque, N.M., Marion Kroebel, and husband, George, of Rogers, Ark.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A memorial service will be held in Grants, N.M. at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Humane Society of Rogers, The Alzheimer's Foundation or the Salvation Army. Giselle's family would like to thank the Veteran's for bringing freedom to their mother and a better life for her family. Her full obituary may be read at stockdalefuneral.com Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers.

Published November 12, 2012

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