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Gisele and Joseph Karsa

Gisele Karsa Obituary

GISELE AND JOSEPH KARSA In Loving Memory Gisele, 72, and Joseph, 82, were tragically killed in an automobile accident on August 12, 2005. Married for 55 years, they spent their life together in love, enduring the hard times and achieving happiness and prosperity in America. Born in Budapest, Hungary, they escaped during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 leaving everything behind, including their three-year-old daughter Agnes. Upon arrival in Montreal, Canada, they started a new life with just $5 and after four years of hard work, finally secured a visa for Agnes and her grandmother to join them. Since 1963, they have been residents of Sherman Oaks and small business owners in the city of Glendale. Gisele founded Gisele's Originals on Brand Boulevard to provide custom dressmaking and embroidery. In 1973, she entered the real estate field and has been a prominent local Realtor and longtime director with the Glendale Association of Realtors. Work and family were both top priorities for Gisele, and she spent long hours at her Coldwell Banker office, but always made time for her beloved family. In addition to being a true friend and mentor to her special colleagues, she served as a board member, president and chairwoman for the Glendale Association of Realtors for more than 25 years. Joseph was a talented precision tool and dye maker, a skill that required incredible aptitude and expertise. His machine shop, GO Precision, served Glendale for more than 40 years, and up until his untimely death, he was still grinding tools for longtime customers. Intrigued by the personal freedoms allowed in the U.S. that were forbidden under Communist rule, he became an avid collector of just about everything, includin g automobiles, mechanical items, vintage furniture and vinyl records. Sincere, generous and incredibly logical, he made time daily to visit friends and acquaintances, always bringing edible gifts to those he visited. Outgoing and happy, his life accomplishments included starting a new life in America, a successful small business, a 55-year marriage to the love of his life and years of support, devotion and love to his family. Gisele and Joseph are survived by their daughter Agnes and her husband, Rich ard Huff; granddaughter Adriana and husband, Erik Jakobsen; grandson Richard Huff; their dearly loved pets Tinkerbell, Kitty and Figaro; many cherished family members from the Huffs and Jakobsens, and countless special friends and colleagues. Memorials will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at 3:30 p.m., at Coldwell Banker in Glendale (818.240.1111) and on Saturday, August 27, 2005 at noon in Westwood Village (310.446.0136). A contribution in their memory may be made to the Glendale Humane So ciety or the Salvation Army. Deeply loved and forever remembered. Viszontlatasra. A lelkunk mindig egyutt lesz.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Connecticut Post on Aug. 20, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Gisele Karsa

18 Entries

Agnes Huff

August 14, 2022

I miss both of you every day... you are forever in all our hearts.

Agnes Huff

August 14, 2020

I love you and miss both of you and Richard every day...

Muci Komlosi

September 1, 2005

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I learned that my beloved sister Gisele and her husband, Joseph, who in 1956 fled Hungary for a new life in the United States, were tragically killed in an automobile accident and taken so suddenly and unexpectedly from this earth.

The only comfort I have is that I hope they both found what they were looking for in the free world, and that they lived life to the fullest in their new country, enjoying much happiness and success and loving each other. We must accept faith, and my belief is that in the afterlife, we will all be reunited again. Until then my sweet souls, may eternal peace be with you.

Lovingly,

Muci

Cuki and Feri Rago

September 1, 2005

My dearest Gisele,

In August you sent me an e-mail along with a wonderful musical angel card, and I broke down in tears from happiness. I never thought that this would be the first, and the very last e-mail from you. When we were kids, I considered you my second Mom, and always felt that Agnes was my little sister. With childhood curiosity, and when I had a fight with Mom, I would always pour my heart out to you.

Dearest Joseph (Dodi),

I have many childhood memories of you when you took us kids for a spin around the block with your motorcycle and sidecar. I remember your house in Zuglo, when I slept there with Agi as my sister. She had a doll bed that we always played with and gently laid the dolls down to sleep. Sadly,deeply ingrained in the depths of my memory is when your father came and advised us that he personally took you and Gizi to the border to flee the country in 1956. In my heart I will forever remember both of you fondly; rest in peace. Much love and care from far away,

Cuki and Feri Rago

John and Shelly Mickelson

August 31, 2005

To the Huffs and Jakobsens we offer our deepest sympathies. Even though we met with Gisele and Joseph on just a few occasions, we enjoyed their company very much. Our thoughts and hearts are with all of you during this time of such sorrow and heartache.

Bonnie Sue Schwartz

August 25, 2005

Dearest Gisele and Joseph,

For 30 years, I've known you as my friend Agnes' parents, Mr. & Mrs. Karsa. Finally, this year on the 4th of July, I was able to call you by your first names. I've always looked forward to seeing you at the Huff parties and enjoyed our conversations so much. I was saddened to hear that you are no longer here, on this Earth, anyway. Fortunately, you'll both live on through your daughter Agnes, who has always been a beautiful person, inside and out! She and Richard will carry on your legacy along with Adriana and Erik. It's been my pleasure to have known you and I'm honored to be special friends with Agnes and Richard. With much love,

Vivian Alcala

August 25, 2005

To Gisele and family members.

I worked with Gisele when I was at the Coldwell Banker Glendale office for 19 years now with RE/MAX Tri City in Glendale. Gisele and I shared a private office together. I never met her husband Joseph but I do recall her telling me he said "People should pay the full listing price and not be negotiating that price". It took her some time to open up and share her personal life with me but we got to that point and then the office relocated. We remained in touch and during the holidays we shared a dinner at our favorite spot "The Tam O Shanter" in Los Feliz area. She carried a photo of me and her in her wallet and each time I saw her she said "Look what I got". That indicated to me that she counted me in as a special lady in her life. I shared my life with her and she always had good sound advice for me to follow up on as a single woman. About four years ago, she drove me to the hospital to have a major surgery in Woodland Hills as I had no one else to accommodate me. My mother never drove a car and my daughter drove my mother to the hospital where they were waiting for me and Gisele at the entrance of the hospital. What true friend and associate she was. We were in touch on a daily basis prior to her death on on that same day I left her a voice message on that Friday morning and that call was never returned but I am certain she did get my last message. I will always treasure her memories, advice and thoughts the rest of my life. God Bless you and you were loved by many.

Rest in peace. Vivian Alcala

Jonathan Lamborn & Loretta Lee

August 24, 2005

Our deepest condolences to the Huff and Jackobsen households. It has been quite a year for you, with alot of joy in the marriage of Erik and Adriana and sorrow with the passing of Gisele, Joseph, and Kari. Words cannot describe how honored we feel in being included in your lives. Our thoughts are with you.

Jacquie Rudell

August 23, 2005

The Glendale Coldwell Banker office will deeply miss Gisele. She was so giving of her time, not only as our Training Director, her postions with the Assoc. of Realtors, and the Women's Council of Realtors, but personally to her coworkers, clients and friends. She was highly respected by everyone! We extend our deepest sympathy and love to her entire family on the loss of both Gisele and Joseph.

Samantha Haas

August 22, 2005

My deepest sympathies are with you all.

Barry Ross, Real Estate Attorney and Candy Peak Ross, PEAK Premier Properties

August 22, 2005

Dearest Gisele,

Barry and I were so saddened to hear that you'd left us. You've been a much loved and admired friend and associate for so many years. We can't imagine life without you in our work-a-day world. We will never forget the support and inspiration you gave so freely to our community and to us. A part of you will always be with us. --

Phil & Doris Scott

August 22, 2005

We wanted to express our deepest sympathy and love to the Huff & Jakobsen families. We've only seen the Huff's a few times but it doesn't take long to know that they are all very kind and caring individuals. Our hearts are heavy with your losses and we hope all the wonderful memories & stories you have of happy times together will come forward and be a comfort as time passes.Try to remember Gisele & Joseph will live on in you.

Stephanie Mickelson

August 22, 2005

I had the opportunity to meet Gisele and Joseph at Adriana and Erik's wedding reception. I have since only heard amazing stories of their lives and praises of how wonderful they were, I only wish I could have known them more. My thoughts are with you Agnes, Richard, Adriana and Erik!

In Our Thoughts Always

Richard Huff

August 22, 2005

Mom and Dad...... it's so hard to say good-bye. You have both been such an inspiration and loving part of my life for so many years. Your strength and convictions will always be remembered and honored as the very best a Parent and Friend can provide. We will all meet again and in our lives here and ever after we will always be One Family Under God, Ahmen!

Erik Jakobsen

August 22, 2005

You won’t believe this old couple I knew. I’ve only known them for a couple of years, but I think they were amazing and totally interesting. Grandma and Grandpa Karsa. At first I was totally scared of Grandma Karsa. Let me tell you, she would let you know what was on her mind. I remember the first time she met my mom. The first words out of her mouth were, “So it’s YOUR son that’s shacking up with my Granddaughter.” Can you imagine? Good thing her Granddaughter in now my wife! But as time went on, she would give me winks that let me know I was now included on her inside jokes. It was her “no compromise” attitude that made her so strong and her sense of humor that lightened the load. And I admire that so much.

Grandfather was another story. The first time I met him he sat still in his chair, really quiet, eighty-something years old taking everything in. Just when I started to think that something was wrong with him, he breaks out with a story to rival any Hollywood movie. He had the most entertaining stories. He’d get all animated, his eyes telling a story just as important as the one he told with words. All of his stories start with him saying in his thick Hungarian accent, “You vont believe!” followed by the most fantastical story. Except they were all true... well, mostly true. And he told me tons of stories that unraveled their unique and amazing lives to me. And now when I tell their story it will start with, “You won’t believe this old couple....”

Marsha Graham

August 22, 2005

I had the privelege of talking with Gisele and Joseph at Adriana and Erik's wedding reception and I was so touched and inspired by their youthfulness and interest in others. After having read the brief story of their lives together I was further ispired by their fullness of life and and a life motivated by love. This lives in you, Agnes, and your family. It is so much a part of who you are.

My heart breaks for you with this sudden loss and I hope that the love that surrounds you now will be of some comfort through this very sad time -

Much love,

Marsha

Connie & Martinn Mandles

August 21, 2005

Your sudden and tragic end sorrows us, as it does your family, and brings home the message that life/fate can often seem so unjust. We will always remember how wonderful and happy you looked at Adriana & Erik's wedding reception. We know how much you will be missed.

Agnes Huff

August 20, 2005

Mom and Dad - I miss you so much. My heart aches. Know that you will be in my heart forever - each and every day. Love, Agnes

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