Obituary of Erika Giesse

DAVENPORT Erika Giesse, 76, of Davenport, passed away on Sunday, July 15, 2012, with her family by her side at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born on June 5, 1936, in Otterndorf, Germany, the daughter of Wilhelm and August Meyer. Erika married Peter Giesse on June 27, 1959. Erika, along with her husband, Peter owned and operated a very successful dairy farm in Davenport for over 25 years. They retired from farming in 1989. Erika enjoyed cooking, gardening, bird watching, playing cards, scratch off lottery tickets, watching golf and her beloved New York Giants. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Peter; their daughter, Cathy and James Quigley of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; their son, Peter and Danette Giesse of Westernville, and their son, William Giesse of Davenport. She is also survived by a brother, Willy Meyer of Falcon, Mo.; nieces, Lynda and Wendy of Texas; and a sister, Minna Schanter; and nephew, James of New Hyde Park; and brother-in-law, Karl and Vera Giesse of Vienna, Austria. Erika also enjoyed all the time she got to spend with her five grandchildren, Nicholas, Ashley and Ryan Giesse and James and Brian Quigley. "God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not meant to be, so He put his arms around you and whispered come to me. With tearful eyes we watched, as we saw you pass away. Although we love you deeply we could not make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us _ He only takes the best." A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 19, 2012, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 mile north of Stamford on Route 10 with Deacon Glenn Schermerhorn officiating. A private graveside service will follow in the Davenport Cemetery, Davenport. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are made with MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart.