Velda L. (Robinson) Gieske

Velda L. (Robinson) Gieske of Battle Creek, MI



Velda, age 97, died Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at the Oak Haven Assisted Living of Marshall, MI.


Velda, the daughter of John and Maude (Van Sickle) Robinson, was born on March 30, 1917 in Bellevue, MI; was a lifetime area resident and a 1935 graduate of Bellevue High School. She and her husband, Elmer, owned and operated Gieske & Son Grocery on Capital Avenue for over 40 years, retiring in 1987. Velda had also been a sales clerk at Jacobson's in downtown Battle Creek. She was a member of the Pennfield Presbyterian Church; loved to shop and go out to eat; but her "Pride and Joy" was her family!


Velda was united in marriage to Elmer E. Gieske on October 3, 1937 in Bellevue and he sadly preceded her in death on November 28, 2007. She was also preceded in death by three sons, Gregory G. Gieske, Jeffrey L. Gieske and Elmer John Gieske along with a sister, Vera Davis and two brothers, Lester and Donald Robinson. Surviving are three grandchildren, Michael, Allison and Jeffrey Gieske-all of OH and her niece, Carol L. (Jeff) Stanton of Bellevue.


The Funeral Service to celebrate Velda's life will be held on Saturday, March 14th at 11:00 a.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek with Rev. Douglas R. Nettleton, Pastor of the Pennfield Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek. Friends will be received on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Velda's honor may be directed to a charity of one's choice.