Gisela Toller

Gisela Toller passed away peacefully in Sarasota, FL on the morning of April 13, 2024. She was 88 years old. Gisela was born in Dresden, Germany to Gerhardt Frohmann and Margarete (Spinger) Frohmann. As a child, Gisela and her mother endured the devastation of World War II as refugees. And as a young woman, Gisela worked as a German-English translator on the US Army base in Heidelberg, Germany where she met and married William (Bill) Toller (deceased September 26, 2022). They were together for 65 years. Gisela and Bill made their home in Indianapolis, IN where they raised two children, Denise (Toller) Mallal and Steven Toller. She earned a degree at Butler University going to night classes while her children were in elementary school. Gisela assisted Bill with his real estate investments, bringing her artistic touch to the interior designs for model homes. During many years of “snow-birding”, Gisela enjoyed learning about the history, plant life and animal life of the sunshine state, and became a volunteer for Historic Spanish Point. In 2016, Gisela and Bill moved permanently to their home in Sarasota, FL. She was socially active as a member of various card groups, dinner groups and square dancing groups and church groups, among others. She volunteered with numerous charitable organizations including The Salvation Army, for which she was once named Woman of the Year in Indianapolis. Gisela was drawn to, and embodied, the beauty of this world. She was ever-expanding her perspective of life through world-travel, reading, and patronizing the performing and visual arts, crafting and ever expressing herself as an accomplished watercolor artist. Her numerous paintings can be found brightening the homes and hearts of family and friends. She enjoyed gardening and was particularly fond of orchids. This delicate, exotic, and graceful flower which symbolizes love, beauty, strength, refinement, thoughtfulness, and mature charm is simply a reflection of Gisela. Gisela’s love for Bill was inspirational, and she flourished in her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Her quiet sophistication and graciousness made an indelible impact on all that knew her. Gisela is survived by daughter Denise (husband Munir) Mallal, son Steven (wife Katy) Toller, sister-in-law Anna Bussell, and brother-in-law Jerry (wife Alice) Toller. Also, five grandsons, Jeffrey (wife Bethy) Shaw Mallal, Justin Toller (partner Hayley Reid), Michael (wife Liz) Mallal, Kristopher Toller, Daniel Mallal, and three great-granddaughters. A service will be held on Thursday, May 23rd at 10:00am, at St. Johns Methodist Church, 6611 Proctor Road, Sarasota, FL. 34241, followed by a light lunch at the church. The burial will be held at 12:30pm, at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL. 34241. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Habitat for Humanity https://www.habitat.org/support/honor-memorial-gifts or Meals on Wheels https://give.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Tributes

Gisela Toller

April 13, 2024