Gisela C Vereen

Gisela C. Vereen, our dear, beloved “Omi”, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 16th, 2018 in El Paso, Texas at the age of 88. She was a kind, loving, devoted and caring wife, mother and grandmother who always put her family before herself. Cheerful and ever frugal, strong willed, principled and quick witted, with a smile and a kind word for everyone, she was loved and respected by all who were privileged to know her. She was born in Berlin, Germany on August 15, 1929 and raised there as World War II raged around her. Her incredible childhood stories described a time and events that most cannot imagine, and in that fire was forged this extraordinary woman. After the war, she worked for the U.S. Army Ordinance Depot where she met her husband, Master Sgt. Dwight M. Vereen. Together they were witnesses to history, being there when the Berlin Wall went up, and directly participating in the great Berlin airlift. Although proud of her heritage, she earned her U.S. citizenship and always made it clear that she was an American by choice. After 21 years of military service and travel, they settled down in North Richland Hills, Texas in 1967. A master gardener and the ultimate green thumb, she delighted in keeping the entire neighborhood supplied with tomatoes and vegetables. She was employed at the J.C. Penney store in the Northeast Mall where she faithfully worked in the money room for 28 years, priding herself on always balancing the accounts and earning the reputation as a reliable, hard worker who did things the right way. She remains a beloved figure to those who worked with her. Widowed in 1997, she retired from J.C. Penney in 2002 at the age of 72. After retirement, she reunited with Mr. Ed Magnuson, and together they enjoyed traveling and spending time at their retirement home in Florida. She is survived by her sons, Steven Vereen of Ft. Worth and Darryl Vereen of El Paso, and her beloved grandchildren Amanda Vereen, Corporal Kyle Vereen and Ryan Vereen, all of whom she absolutely adored.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 21st, with visitation at 2:00 and services at 3:00 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Boulevard, Colleyville, Texas 76034, with internment immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can made in her name to Pathways Adult Living, 921 W. Cannon St., Ft. Worth Texas, 76104