Gisela Karin Clarke Obituary (1945 - 2010)

Gisela Karin Clarke was born July 10, 1945 in Danemark, Kopenhagen, Germany to Ernest Walter Grinda and Maria Nee Lallo Grinda. She attended schools there and also had the opportunity to attended various schools in Germany and throughout Europe. Gisela enjoyed camping and during her youth often spent time camping along the banks of the Rhine River. She met Joie M. Clarke while he was serving in the armed forces and they later married. They had 3 children while living in Germany; Patricia, Jack and Pulver. In 1970 they came to the states settling in Ypsilanti, Michigan and eventually in Belleville, Michigan. Gisela was a homemaker and mother but later in life pursued a career as a truck driver. She began working for Yellow Freight and was one of the first women truck drivers to work for the company, She continued in the trucking industry some 13 years before retiring for health reasons in 1988. She moved to Arizona in 1983 first to Phoenix and in 1999 to Wickenburg. Gisela was a very spiritual person and a women of deep faith. She enjoyed her many conversations with Msgr. George Highberger of St. Anthony's Cathlic Church. Gisela enjoyed hiking, her animals and the outdoors. She had even hiked to Vulture peak several times. She enjoyed reading and was a patron of the Wickenburg Library. Some of her last words were " Anything you do that is dishonest will come back on you". She was always a very independent and strong willed women. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joie M. Clarke in 1995. Gisela is survived by her children: Patricia Lawson (Charlie) of Phoenix, Jack M. Clarke (Judith) of Mesa, and Pulver M. "Sam" Clarke,II (Valli) of Phoenix, and 3 grandchildren: Amber Clarke, Jacob M. Clarke and Tyler M. Clarke. Private family services will be held at a later date.