Carolee Janiece Gisselbeck

October 11, 1944 - February 9, 2025

Carolee Janiece Gisselbeck went to be with her Lord & Savior February 9, 2025. Carolee was the only child born to her loving parents, Virgil R. Sawatzky and Vestal (Verner) Sawatzky October 11 1944. Growing up there was a strong bond between Carolee and her parents. She grew to enjoy & treasure the many life experiences she had as a child. She could often be found tending to her flower beds or trimming her shrubs. She enjoyed her backyard and her time spent watching & feeding her family of birds & squirrels that knew they found a special place to visit. Whether it be a homeless stray or a plump neighbor's pet; they always knew where they could find a soothing hand, soft voice, and welcome attention. Carolee never out grew her curious mind & hunger to learn. As an adult she shared her enthusiasm for learning with the many students under her care in the classroom as their teacher. From her first day teaching till her retirement she inspired many young minds to set their goals high and develop the skills & ethics to achieve their goals. She married the love of her life Allen Winchell Gisselbeck April 19, 1980. The many vacation trips she & Allen made with her parents were some of her most cherished memories. She had a special fondness for kittens. And would go out of her way to protect and care for any fur baby from harm, starvation or harsh weather. Eventually she and Allen shared their home with two special kittens Mitzi & Eritzi who accompanied them to their many vacation destinations. Finding herself alone after losing Allen, Carolee's need to nurture was ever present in her attempt to save a little homeless kitten from one of Oklahoma's harsh winter blizzards. After providing food, water and makeshift shelter from the freezing temperatures and ice; her soon to be Mikki finally trusted Carolee enough to freely follow her inside to the warmth and comfort of a loving home where she was treated like a princess the rest of her life. Carolee's dedication & commitment was even stronger for her friends. Although Carolee was short on family, she often claimed God had gifted her with special friends & neighbors. She would say one was remiss not to express how blessed she felt to have the love of very special friends. Becky Wolfe, one of Carolee's longest & dearest friends; along with Becky's husband Homer; Carolee always had someone she could count on for a day of joy, or in a day of need. Often surprising Carolee with a tasty treat, Becky remained a constant loyal friend, attentive to Carolee over sixty years, till the time Jesus called Carolee home. Linda Isaak, whose commitment & love was ever present in the good times and the sad times. Hardly a day passed without a visit, a call or a text, with often minutes turning to hours. Sharing faith in God always present; there was never a problem that couldn't be solved, or a moment of humor unworthy of a good laugh. Carolee was heartbroken to lose her dear friend Barbara Leverett, deceased, to a sudden illness. Barbara and Carolee could spend hours visiting of days gone by. Or their next adventure even if it was a nothing more than a long drive for an out of state appointment together. Miles never separated these two. She often said how blessed she felt to have good neighbors near. No act of kindness went unappreciated. Carolee's presence in everyday life will be dearly missed. Although God called Carolee home to be with Him, He blessed those in her life with the time we had with her, and the precious memories we hold dear. Surviving her is one aunt Doris Lorene Nikkel and four cousins: Carlotta, Corliss, Cheryl, and Quentin. Now with our Lord in Heaven, Carolee's earthly resting place is with those loved ones who preceded her in death, her husband, father and mother at Chapel Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Rest in peace dear one, you may be gone from our world, but never forgotten.