Gisela Hagedorn Smith

MISSOULA – Gisela Hagedorn Smith passed away Monday, June 8, 2015, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane of natural causes. She was born in West Germany on Feb. 20, 1923, to Fredrick and Anna Hagedorn. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1947 and was working for the military at Fort Ord, where she met John “Chuck” Smith. They were married Dec. 31, 1951. After his discharge, the couple moved to Missoula, his hometown. One of her proudest moments was when she received her citizenship March 12, 1953. Chuck died May 22, 1992. She sold their house in the Rattlesnake and moved into a condo in the Lindwood Estates, where she lived very happily until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chuck; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lucy and Lucien Croonenberghs, and Jim and Florence Smith; sister-in-law, Peggy Martin; and nephew, Lucien “Norm” Croonenberghs. She is survived her brother-in law, Bob Martin; nieces and nephews, Luci Ann C. and John Manz, Jeff Croonenberghs, Sharon Gillispie, Terry and Jerry Hinman, Bonnie and Jerry Worley, Randy and Paulette Smith, Larry and Shelia Smith, Debbie and Leonard Urick, Kelly and Dawn Smith, Tammie and Pete Scott, Bob and Mary Martin, Ron Martin; and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Gisela was blessed by good friends, Nancy and Mike Chandler, Dorothy Rahders, Gretchen Weiizel, Gail Kersher and Helen Garrick, and her Tuesday lunch girls. Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of the arrangements. At her request, there will be only graveside services at Victor Cemetery on Monday, June 15, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gisela Hagedorn Smith, please visit our floral store.