Gisela Rosenbaum

Gisela Sieglinde Banzhaf Rosenbaum,79, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, died unexpectedly on January 25, 2017. She was born March 4, 1937 in Stuttgart, Germany to the late Josef Georg Banzhaf and Babette Straub Banzhaf. Gisela was educated in Europe and in her youth was a competitive downhill skier. Her passion for languages brought her to the United States in 1959. Gisela quickly became a US citizen and began an ambitious career in retail in Washington DC, New York City, and Columbus, Ohio. As Gisela’s career advanced, she was often the first female in her position, breaking barriers for others. Gisela’s interest in politics led to an appointment in Mayor Buck Rinehart’s cabinet with the City of Columbus, where Gisela was the first female and first non-engineer to serve as the Director of Public Service. Gisela’s retail marketing experience brought a flair to the position. Pot hole dolls, volunteer brick repair in German Village, color coded trash pickup with a souvenir poster, and the Refuse Collection Ball were all her innovations. Even though she was a staunch conservative, Gisela made friends on both sides of the aisle because of her honest, direct, pragmatic approach to politics. Gisela was also very active in community affairs. Gisela served for 18 years on the board of Mt. Carmel Health, championed and raised money for hospice, Ballet Met, and other charitable organizations. Though a city girl at heart, Gisela and her husband Jim developed a renowned horse farm in Knox County where her love of animals blossomed. Any animal in need was welcomed at the farm. Her rescues included numerous cats, dogs, horses, goats, and swans. Gisela was loved by a blended family. Gisela is survived by her husband James Gabriel: sons Tarn Rosenbaum and his wife Delita, Michael Gabriel and his wife Mary; daughter Kelly Stewart and her husband Jerry; sisters Ursel Lutz, of Schwaebisch Gmund, Germany and Bruni Bauder, of Stuttgart, Germany; brother Klaus Banzhaf and his wife Doris, of Paraguay; grandchildren Morgan and Shelby Stewart, Adam and Zach Gabriel and Moira Rosenbaum; numerous nieces and nephews; and friends across the globe. Calling hours will be held at Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, 515 High St, Worthington Ohio on Friday, February 3, 2017 from 2pm to 4pm. A Memorial Service will follow at 4pm. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Last Chance Corral, 5350 Old Rte 33, Athens, OH 45701 or Cat Welfare Association, 741 Wetmore Rd, Columbus, OH 43214. Condolences to the family can be sent to www.rutherfordfuneralhome.com

Gisela Rosenbaum

March 4, 1937 - January 25, 2017