Stella Kiesel, 100, formerly of Erie Street, passed away at 11:10 p.m.,Wednesday, January 7th at The Caring Place where she had resided for the past several years.

Stella was born August 11, 1914 in Franklin and was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary Buczek Kielbosa. She married Karl Kiesel on July 28, 1932, and he preceded her in death in 1967.

Stella retired in 1979 from Venango Manor where she worked for 11 years in Housekeeping. Prior to retiring, she worked at the Business Woman Club and at Chicago Pneumatic Tool. She was a very faithful member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. Before her husband passed away, he and Stella raised and showed rabbits all over the United States and Canada, and spent their Saturday evenings enjoying polka music and dancing. In the 1930’s, Stella was a member of the Rocky Grove Fire Department Marching Band. She was also a life member of the Women of the Moose. Her husband Karl held the highest Moose office of Pilgrim.

After her husband passed away in 1967, she became very independent. She enjoyed yard work, gardening, canning, and socializing with her neighbors. Her passion was her “children” — she very much enjoyed her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s many activities. She especially cherished spending time with her family camping, and at cookouts and family parties.

Stella is survived by her grandchildren, Stella Kudlac and her husband, Ken, of Franklin, Janet Anderson and her husband, Mark, of Meadville, Joyce Gramley and her husband, Sidney, of Franklin, and Michael Kiesel and his wife, Carolyn, also of Franklin.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Hollie Daugherty of Pittsburgh, Jennifer Anderson of Huntington, WV, Ryan Anderson of Meadville, and his fiancee’, Julia Fair, Dustin and Amber Gramley of Franklin, and Carley, Emiley and Stephanie Kiesel of Franklin.

In addition to her parents and husband, Stella was preceded in death by her son, Carl M. Kiesel; her daughters, Ida J. O’Neil and Dorothy I. Baker; her sisters, Julia Hix and Lenora Walbourn; and her brother, Michael Kielbosa and a granddaughter, Linda Marie Kiesel.

A Funeral Mass for Stella will be held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church on Monday, January 12th at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Stella’s memory to the St. Patrick Church Building Fund or St. Patrick School — 949 Liberty Street, Franklin PA.

To send flowers, cards, online condolences or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.

The family of wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to AscerCare Hospice, and especially to Nurse Andrea, for their care of Stella.