RICHMOND — Gisela (Klessen) Dearborn, 77, of North Street died at her home May 30 after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born May 11, 1935, in Berlin, Germany, the daughter of Otto and Anna Klessen.

She was a graduate of Berlin High School class of 1953. She met her husband, Lawrence (Larry) Dearborn, in 1954 and married him in Berlin on May 29, 1956.

She was a two term past president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 132 of Richmond and also Kennebec County American Legion Auxiliary.

She was employed in different nursing homes in Maine and the former Etonic Shoe Shop. She traveled throughout the world and many states while her husband served in the U.S. Army.

After Larry’s retirement, in 1973, Gisela went back to work as a nurse’s aide. After her retirement, she joined the workforce again as a part time greeter at Sam’s Club in Augusta.

She was a member of Dresden-Richmond United Methodist Church, and an avid supporter of the troops. She cherished the time with her husband by attending as many parades and welcoming the troops home from the war. Gisela was very proud that they were able to raise and donate many thousands of dollars for the veterans and the Maine Army National Guard.

She also was a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, attending most of the funerals of active duty service men from the war zone.

Gisela was very proud of the fact that she has made hundreds of mittens and hats for the children and also to the many organizations that she donated them to. Many mothers will remember her generosity for the baby hats, sweaters, mittens and blankets that she made and donated to them.

The veterans in the Veteran’s Home in Augusta will not forget the many times that she got the Richmond high school students to assist decorating the home or for the band and chorus that she got to perform for them before Christmas for many years. She and her husband were inducted into the High School National Honor Society for their involvement with the troops and students. She was a veteran’s veteran.

Gisela was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Paul Klessen; a sister, Christina Tellschaft; and a daughter, Christine Anna.

She is survived by her husband, Larry of Richmond, four sons, Lawrence Jr. and wife, Danette, of Washington state, Charles and spouse, Kathy, of Richmond, Thomas and fiancee, Lissa Madore, of South Gardiner, Mark and wife, Heather, of Fort Worth, Texas, and two daughters, Rose Beckwith and husband, David, of Richmond and Ann Dearborn, of Damariscotta; a special grandson, Ryan Dearborn; 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.