Born March 1, 1940, in Marianka, East Prussia, she was one of seven children of the late August and Julianna (Wanagas) Schmidt. In the mid 1940s, the family fled to Germany due to the strife of WWII. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 20, joining her two sisters who had arrived earlier. Elsa had worked at the North American Knitting Mill and was an excellent seamstress who enjoyed making clothes for family and friends. Later, she worked at and retired from School Specialty. Elsa enjoyed bowling for many years in a league and going to ladies’ luncheons. She kept healthy by eating well and exercising—something she really enjoyed.
Elsa enjoyed working in her flower gardens and had a special knack for growing beautiful roses. She found serenity in visiting Kingwood Center Gardens and wandering the grounds. She loved music and had a special affinity for classical music. Elsa was a longtime member of Westwood Alliance Church where she served as a greeter. Known affectionately as “Omi” to her grandchildren, her family was most important to her. Elsa thoroughly enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She crocheted many baby blankets over the years which have become treasures for those who received them.
Elsa is survived by two children, Jenny (Brad) Funk and John Giess; six grandchildren, Brittany (Todd) Conley, Steven (Emily) Lee, Kyle Giess, Braeden Giess, Justin (Tiffany) Funk and Jared (Andrea) Funk; nine great-grandchildren, Elias and Isaac Conley, James George, Evelyn and Judah Lee, Cameron, Emerson, Addison and Parker Funk; two brothers, Siegfried (Heidi) Schmidt and Erich (Gerdi) Schmidt; three sisters-in-law, Christa Schmidt, Lisa Hoffmann, and Judy Giess; numerous nieces and nephews; and longtime best friend, Gerta Mills.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Giess; sisters, Edith Hunsinger, Erika (Adam) Schuster, and Agnes (Wolfgang) Bohling; brother, Erwin Schmidt; daughter-in-law, Shelli Giess; three brothers-in-law, Adam Giess, Chris Hoffmann, and Hans (Margot) Giess; and a sister-in-law, Katie Novak.
The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Monday at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Doyle Peyton officiating. She will be laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Elsa may be made to Kingwood Center Gardens.
