Natalie Gisler

Long Beach resident Natalie B. Gisler left her earthly home to be with God at the age of 82, on the morning of September 30, 2007 at Ocean Beach Hospital in Ilwaco, surrounded by her husband Joseph, daughters Joan Tolby of Kelso, WA, Verla Rayburn and Sally Wright both of Long Beach, and grandson James Howerton Jr. Natalie was born in Ilwaco on August 8, 1925 to Sylvester "Pete" and Verlie (Barber) Peterson. She graduated from Ilwaco High School in 1943. Sharing their lives for 65 years, Natalie and Joseph were joined in marriage on August 8, 1942 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview. Natalie, a woman with a pioneering spirit, operated a taxi service on the Long Beach Peninsula in the late 1950s. She was a friendly face at the Driftwood Gardens Floral Shop for 14 years. In the early 1970s Natalie owned and operated the local Montgomery Wards store while juggling the responsibilities of parenting four young children. It was not unusual to see Natalie and her children on the site in early years of Gisler Construction, working together as a family. Natalie will be remembered for her dedication for her family. She and Joseph suffered the loss of their only son, Norman Martin Gisler, in an accident at sea in 1981. Shortly after his death she and Joseph became snowbirds traveling to Yuma, AZ in the winter to join a host of new and old friends. Some of the highlights of her life were her trips abroad with her husband. She loved to travel, socialize and spending time in her garden. Natalie's passing leaves a vacuum for those left behind, until the promise of the resurrection when they will be together again. Besides her husband and three daughters, she is survived by 12 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 5, 2007, 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview with Father Tom Williams SJ officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the organization of one's choice. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.