Gisela “Oma” Anna Ambron, age 86 of Kinmundy, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, at Centralia Manor in Centralia.
Gisela was born on January 10, 1939, in Sachsenhausen (Frankfurt), Germany, the daughter of Karl Droell and Irma Schwemmle, and lived a life filled with strength, curiosity, and adventure.
Gisela placed family above all and lived by the motto, “It’s not that you can’t, it’s that you don’t want to.” Her vibrant spirit led her across the world through her husband’s work, living in Africa, Asia, and much of Europe. She was an accomplished air rifle competitor, dedicating over 20 years to her local shooting club in Germany, earning a state-level bronze medal, and mentoring youth with passion and pride. At 61, she and her husband moved to Illinois to join her daughter and granddaughter. Never one to slow down, she enrolled in Kaskaskia College, earning a lifelong learning award. She began karate at 64 and was close to testing for her brown belt when she had to give karate up at 68. She co-founded Oma Gisi’s German Bakery at 68, where she remained active well into her mid-80s. She also travelled extensively in her later years to Canada and Germany. Avid about gardening and wildflowers, she found joy in studying the medicinal properties of local plants.
She is survived by her daughters, Iris (Herbert) Baier of Wildflecken, Germany, and Tanja Dorr of Kinmundy; son, Alireza Seyed Moemeni and family of Kassel, Germany; grandchildren, Jennifer (Thomas) Ambron of Gross Bieberau, Germany, Stephanie Dorr of Kinmundy, and Joshua Ambron of Dudenhofen, Germany; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Horst Ambron; sisters, Elke (Raimund) Schuhman and Sigrid Hoos.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Centralia Manor for the compassionate and dedicated care they provided to Gisela in the final months of her life.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made in her honor to the Centralia Humane Society and can be received at Crouse Funeral Home which is assisting the family. Online condolences can be left at www.CrouseFH.com
