Mary Lou Giesen

Mary Louise Giesen (Mary Lou) It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our mother on Thursday, May 22nd, 2014. Mary Lou spent her final weeks in her own home, surrounded by family, friends, and incredible caregivers. She actively participated in her own transition, tying up loose ends and saying goodbye to loved ones. She was ready to go on her next journey and to reunite with Johnny, our father and her husband of 62 years. Mary Lou was born in Paynesville, Minnesota—the youngest of five kids from Oscar and Emma Gilbertson. She grew up in Minneapolis and attended St. Catherine's where she met a dashing young man named John Giesen. Shortly thereafter, they were married in 1950 and settled down to start a family. By 1961, the Giesen's left the comfortable confines of Minnesota and moved to Winnetka, Illinois for the next chapter of their lives. And after 13 wonderful years living on the North Shore, John and Mary Lou moved the family one more time to Denver, Colorado in 1974. Mary Lou, at age 84, had lived a full life and will be greatly missed. She he was the heartbeat of our family and the glue that united us. She was the mother of Cindy (Jeff) Coleman, Jay (Helen) Giesen, Lee Ann (David) O'Brien, Greg Giesen, David (Ginger) Giesen, and Lori (Steve Pozzi). She was the grandmother of 12 and great grandmother of 8. Mary Lou had many passions throughout her life. In addition to spending time with family and friends, she enjoyed tennis, jazzercise, traveling, dancing, piano bars and playing Bridge. She loved to go on cruises with Johnny and their friends, drive convertibles with the top down, and bask in the Florida sunshine. She dabbled in the stock market, watched the news, read hundreds of novels and regularly played Sudoku out on her deck. What you probably didn't know about this incredible lady was that she was a regular ""extra"" in the Perry Mason television series, shot in Denver. In addition, she was in numerous movies and paved the way for some of her kids to be in Every Which Way But Loose, starring Clint Eastwood. Mary Lou was a classy woman. She always looked her best, whether she was staying at home or going out for dinner; and she expected the same of her children. She had traditional values and held the bar high for her kids on everything from appearance to communication to education to manners. Despite all of her interests, nothing compared to socializing with family and friends for her, with the possible exception of watching the soothing waves of Boca Ciega Bay just outside her Florida condo. In fact, even as her health started to decline, she'd say with no uncertainty from her window in Florida, ""I'd rather be here watching the bay than in Denver watching the snow!"" Mary Lou, you are so loved by your family and friends. Our prayer for you is that you are sitting out in the heaven's sun, holding hands with Johnny, and toasting your incredible lives. Your legacies will live on eternally. Mary Lou's final request was to celebrate her life with a party. To honor her request, we will have a memorial ceremony on Thursday, June 12th, 2014, at 11:30 a.m. at David & Ginger Giesen's house, 10 East Belleview Way, Greenwood Village, CO 80121. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Porter Hospice Foundation (http://www.chahf.org/porterhospice) in Mary Lou's name instead. We love you Baba (from Cindy, Jay, Lee Ann, Greg, David, Lori and our families). Please share your memories of Mary Lou and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook.