Ilse Reissner was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her parents Pablo Reissner and Rosa Heins were of German descent. She had an older sister, Beatriz Reissner. They grew up speaking German and Spanish and traveled with their parents to Germany every year. Her love of traveling began in her childhood.

After graduating from high school, she and her sister attended LSU where they studied English, and Ilse earned a degree in accounting. After college she returned to Colombia where she met and married Pedro Vicente Garces. They had 5 children. Mary Steffens, Mario Garces, Paulina Doran, Monica Faucheux and Beatriz Garces. After 12 years the marriage ended in divorce. Ilse decided to seek a better life and she emigrated with her five children to the United States.

They settled in Miami, FL. Ilse got a job with DOW chemical in the controller's department that oversaw their Latin American operations. After almost 30 years with DOW she retired and moved to Orlando, FL where most of her grown children lived.

In retirement Ilse dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. She traveled extensively all over the world and took many of the grandchildren on trips to Europe and other places. She had 15 grandchildren, and 22.5 great grandchildren at the time of her death. She was "Oma" to all of them.

In addition she became involved in the Contemplative Prayer Outreach when it was just beginning. She became one of their leaders and helped it grow to the large ministry that it is today. She led retreats in Florida and Latin America, translated books for Fr. Keating, was the head of three different groups in Central Florida, and organized many pilgrimages to Israel, Greece, Italy and other parts of the world.

She taught by example that what's most important in life is to love God and your family, and that you can achieve your dreams by hard work, integrity and determination. She will be dearly missed by all her family and friends!

In lieu of flowers my mom wanted donations sent to one of these:
1> contemplativeoutreach.org
2> Extensión Contemplativa Internacional
Attn: Marilu Ason
1643 Brickell Ave. Apt 1901
Miami, Fl 33129
3> The Sharing Center
600 N US Hwy 17-92 #100
Longwood, FL 32750
4> Annunciation Catholic Church
1020 Montgomery Rd
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

The family of Ilse Reissner invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in her loving memory.