Gracie M. Rissler

Gracie Marie Rissler, 77, of Findlay, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday,July 19, at home. She was born February 25, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas,to Juanita Peguero and Julio de la Pena. She married Dennis Rissler onOctober 13, 1979. Gracie is survived by her children, Sarah Crane (Joel) of Cincinnati,James of Tennessee, and Rachel of North Carolina. She is also survived byher grandchildren, Tyler and Sydney Crane; her siblings Emilia of Findlay,Julio (Jean) of New Mexico, Art (Mary) of Findlay, and Mario of Arizona. She also has many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by herhusband Denny, her parents Juanita and Julio, her stepfather BaldomeroLerma, and her sister, Sylvia Hall. She graduated from Findlay High School and Indiana University, taughtelementary school and was a school counselor for nearly 40 years. She hasworked with hundreds of students over the years at Arcadia, Mansfield St.Peters, and Lima Schools. She also worked for many years at the MaumeeYouth Center, where she was a counselor for teenage boys. Gracie touched so many lives through her work and volunteering, especiallyas a dedicated Girl Scout leader for over 25 years. There are hundreds ofgirls with whom she has sold cookies, taken camping, visited the JulietteGordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, GA, taken hiking in Switzerland, andtraveled to London for the Olympics. Gracie was always planning her nextGirl Scout trip, and she made sure her girls got to experience newadventures at the Zoo, COSI, and many other places. She loved craftprojects and always had her girls working on blankets for the HumaneSociety and Christmas crafts for nursing homes. Her troops definitelykept Joanne Fabrics in business! She was a dedicated member of St. Michael's Parish, and loved making hatswith the hat group. Gracie was strong in her Catholic faith, enjoyedgoing to mass, and was also a devout follower of St. Jude, the patronsaint of desperate cases and lost causes. She strongly believed inhelping everyone. Many of her former students will attest that hersupport and guidance encouraged them to go to college, when they thoughtthey couldn't. Gracie was a very sweet person. She loved people, flowers, and especiallyanimals. Her dogs meant the world to her. She had a huge heart. Studentsand teachers say she was giving, supportive, encouraging, someone who madean impact, someone who believed in everyone, and the "Best Girl ScoutLeader a girl could ask for." Her family meant everything to her. She loved to spend time at the lakewith her husband Denny. She shared her love of travel with her daughter,Sarah. She enjoyed shopping with her sister and going to cookouts at herbrother's house. She was always excited for a family get together. Sheloved spending time with her grandchildren, and always had a gift for themwhen she saw them. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2020, atCOLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Findlay, where the Rosary will be recited at6:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at St.Michael the Archangel Church, (East) 750 Bright Road, Findlay, withCelebrant Father Peter Grodi. In lieu of flowers, the family isrequesting donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Onlinecondolences may be left for the family at www.coldrencrates.com.