Minahan, Gisella Bakker

Gisella Bakker Minahan - age: 89
(July 10, 1923 to November 29, 2012 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Gisella Bakker Minahan of Ukiah, born to John and Gisella Novakovitz in Stegersbach, Austria on July 10, 1923, died peacefully November 29, 2012 surrounded by family.
Today and always we honor, praise and celebrate the life of a woman for the things she did and for the person she was in her life. We rejoice in sharing our lives with an amazing woman, who ironically would reply, “mean as ever,” when asked how she was. She succeeded in life to treating others the way she wanted to be treated, after all “when you point one finger, there are three pointing back at you.”
All who knew her have different memories but the one that we all share is her example of a woman of strong faith and forever giving to others. Gisella would never settle for anyone going without. She spent many years helping and serving this community through the Ukiah Senior Center, Ford Street, Buddy Eller Center, and Plowshares. She could be found delivering day old bread and flowers to these agencies or handing out clothing to those in need from the trunk of her car.
As a woman known for her spirit and pride in life she would often speak of her accomplishments. Her family immigrated to America when she was 4. At the age of 17, she took part in the Transcontinental Roller Derby Association as a team member of the Aztecs out of Chicago, IL. At the age of 47 she graduated high school by receiving her high school diploma from the Ukiah Adult School. She retired as a Telephone Operator after 27 years of “giving out wrong numbers.” She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and was a member of our community since 1954.
Gisella was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She is preceded in death by her husband’s Martin Bakker (1972) and Joseph Minahan (1996). In her legacy as a lover of life and of family, she is survived by her seven children; Kathleen Gordon Burke, Gloria Gordon Sack, John Gordon (Jere Gordon), Margaret Morehead, Theresa Floyd (Ken Floyd), Richard Venturi, and Anita Bakker (Keith Graydon), 14 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Her legacy will live on in us all.
In celebration of her life, a Rosary will be held Friday, December 7th at 5:15 PM and a Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 8th at 12:30 PM both at St. Mary’s of the Angels Church in Ukiah.
As a token of her faith, Gisella spent many dedicated years supporting the St. Mary’s of the Angels Church and School. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary’s of the Angels School in her honor. Or, share a random act of kindness with her in your thoughts.
The family would like to thank the Holy Spirit Residential Care Home for the love, support and remarkable care given to Gisella during her last ten months.