Gisela C. Hammann

Gisela C. Hammann, 88, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away August 16, 2011 at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born February 13, 1923, in Nove Zamky, Slovakia. She was an only child of her father, Victor Slobodova, and mother, Justina. Gisela lost her beloved Father when she was only 16 years old. At the age of 17, she married a German gentleman, Franz Rotter, 21 years her senior. Life was remarkable and very good for Gisela during the years that she and her husband lived in Czechoslovakia, residing in the same Manor (castle) where Beethoven wrote his renowned "Moonlight Sonata". World War II changed everything. In 1945, Gisela, along with her husband and Mother had to leave everything behind and escape overnight fleeing occupation of Czechoslovakia. They fled to Germany and found a new home there with the help of people who became life long friends to them. In 1949, Gisela"s Mother emigrated to the United States while Gisela and her husband remained in Germany. It was there that in 1949 and 1951, Gisela became the mother of two daughters, Charlotte and Gaby. After the birth of her second daughter, she, her husband and daughters followed Gisela"s mother by emigrating to the United States as well. Life was not easy in the beginning for Gisela and her family, but she had a strong will, limitless energy and the determination to succeed and make a good life for her family. Gisela had the gift of being able to communicate and talk with just about anyone. She was bright, innovative, quick in her thinking, and not afraid to speak her mind. She was a woman of strong emotions, and she was also not afraid to express them! Gisela spoke several languages. She could knit, crochet and embroider expertly. She was an incredible cook and pastry maker, which led her to start her own catering business. Her meals, specialty dishes, tortes and cookies were simply one of a kind. She shared the fruits of her cooking talents with innumerable people and organizations over the years. Whether it was a Church bazaar needing 20 hams, or sharing with someone in need, or serving family and/or friends meals, she simply outdid herself every time. Holidays were such memorable occasions. Her lifetime dreams of becoming a successful business entrepreneur were fulfilled with the help of her second husband, Otto Hammann. Otto had remarkable patience with spirited Gisela. They lived and worked together in Florida, where, amongst many other projects, they built a motel and condominiums on spectacular ocean front property. Gisela was an incredible and most memorable hostess to all. Even after retirement, she continued to receive hundreds of cards from people all over the world. Gisela and Otto loved to travel throughout the United States and Europe, discovering new places. At the age of 80, Gisela was able to again visit the country of her birth and the castle where she had lived so many years before. It was a dream come true for her. With one daughter, Charlotte, living in Germany, and the other daughter, Gaby, living here in Kansas, it was not an easy decision where to be as they got older. Gisela and her husband Otto opted to move to Kansas about 10 years ago, but they continued to travel to Germany twice yearly to visit with daughter Charlotte and family until 5 years ago, when it was no longer possible for them to travel across the ocean. During her last years, Gisela and Gaby shared many common loves and interests. Gisela loved taking short trips with Gaby in the countryside, picking up farm fresh eggs, discovering beautiful orchards and U-Pick farms where they picked their own fresh fruits and vegetables, and then spent countless hours in the kitchen canning, displaying Gisela"s glorious jars like trophies after all the work was done. All those who surrounded her during her last years, including her family, friends, doctors and nurses were recipients of her famous cookies and other goods, and it brought Gisela such pleasure and satisfaction to give these gifts of love. Gisela loved her family deeply and spoke so proudly of them. To quote from her daughter, Gaby, "There was a never ending flow of praise from Mom, raising us all up, and making us feel so special. She was without a doubt, a most charismatic and unique lady". She is predeceased by her parents, and her first husband, Franz Rotter, on August 29th, 1985. She is survived by her husband, Otto Hammann, of Overland Park, Kansas; her 2 daughters, Charlotte Linhart and husband Theo Linhart of Munich, Germany, Gabriele Deramus and husband William N. Deramus IV, of Stilwell, Kansas; 4 grandchildren, Erik Jarvis of Burnsville, North Carolina, Alexander Jarvis of Massillon, Ohio, Christoph Linhart of Munich, Germany, and Silvia Retzlaff of Munich, Germany; 2 great grandchildren, Zoe Retzlaff of Munich, Germany, and Joshua Linhart of Munich, Germany. Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Wea 22779 Metcalf Bucyrus, KS 66013 Service: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 11:00 AM Visitation: No Visitation