Gisela Johnston

Gisela was born in Braunschweig, Germany on April 27, 1940, to Hans Stelzenmuller and Anna Elisabeth Becker. She spent her formative years in Frankfurt working as a language coordinator for the German government. Gisela was fluent in three languages.

On Mother’s Day 1961, Gisela met a young American soldier on a trolley car in Frankfurt and so began a lifelong romance. That soldier, Charles Johnston, returned to the U.S. after his time in the service ended, but the two remained on each other’s minds until reuniting nearly a decade later on American soil. This time, they could not stand to be apart, and Gisela remained in the United States. They soon married and settled down on the Connecticut shoreline where they raised their two children, Elisabeth and Chuck.

Gisela will be remembered for her fierce love of her children and her soft spot for life’s underdogs. She loved visiting museums and historical sites with her husband. As an avid sports fan, she was overjoyed to see her beloved UConn Huskies win the national championship just weeks ago.

Gisela is survived by her husband, Charles; children Elisabeth (John) and Chuck (Jarek); and sister Monika Mueller (Konrad). She also leaves behind her favorite dog grandchildren Luna, Austin and Pearl.

Family and friends are invited to attend a service on Friday, April 21, at 4 p.m., at the First Congregational Church of Deep River, Connecticut. A reception in the Fellowship Hall will follow. The service will be available online at www.deeprivercc.org. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the First Congregational Church of Deep River.