Georjann Deutsch
June 28, 1935 ~ December 25, 2024
Georjann passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. She was born June 28, 1935 in Davenport, IA to Harry and Marie Paulsen. She is preceded in death by husband, Hal; son-in-law, Brian Preisler; her parents, siblings & many friends. She is survived by daughters, Holly Preisler and Lisa (Rick) Heroff; and sons, Greg Deutsch, Mark (Barb) Deutsch, and David Deutsch; grandchildren, Jaime, Rebecca, Jaclyn, Kevin, Kyle, Kate, Karina, William; and 11 great grandchildren.
Georjann graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa with a degree in elementary education and was a part of the Tri Delta sorority. She was married to Hal on June 22, 1957, in Davenport, Iowa and they began their lives together in El Paso, Texas at Fort Bliss. After Texas, they moved to White Bear Lake where she taught for many years at St. Pius. Upon her retirement Georjann and Hal moved permanently to their lake home on Little Whitefish Lake near Garrison, they lived there for 22 years until returning to the Twin City area. While living at the lake, Georjann was active in the Garrison Lions Club. While involved with the Lions Club she would help organize and contribute many of her pieces to their annual fashion show. She also enjoyed her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens at her lake home. Many of her flowers and vegetables were gifted to her friends and family. Georjann and Hal loved hosting family and friends to the lake where Georjann would cook for all, with a light beer in hand. She would even sneak venison into recipes, hoping that some would not figure it out (we always knew). Georjann was a teacher by profession, but also at heart. She was always excited to read to her grandkids and great grandkids as well as help them design and sew their first quilts. While her grandkids were young, Georjann and Hal would host a gathering for the entire family called Camp Deutsch. Camp Deutsch was always the family's highlight of their summer. Here, Georjann was the organizer of the kids activities which always included an arts and crafts component daily. Georjann had the mind of a pinterest master, pre world wide web. Georjann was a social butterfly, she loved playing cards with friends and going to her sewing classes. To know Georjann is to know that she was a beautiful seamstress and quilter. She would often gift those she loved many of her creative pieces, such as table runners, wall hangings, and quilts. Everyone who met her instantly knew she was a compassionate, gentle, patient, funny, open minded, encouraging, and a generous longtime friend. Her friends and family will miss her dearly, but think of her often especially while cozying up under one of her quilts.
Gerojann's life will be celebrated with a service at 11:30 AM Saturday, April 12th with a visitation beginning at 11 AM at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Georjann and I lived next door to each other when we were in grade school. We lost track of each other for about forty or more years. About twenty years ago we reconnected and it was if a day had never passed. A couple of years ago I was fortunate enough to receive one of her beautiful quilts. She was the dearest of all friends. I loved her dearly!
Q: How did you meet Georjann?
A: I met Georjann at the Islander Resort in Lake Havasu, Arizona
On December 6th of this year I wrote a note to Georjann to thank her for the time she took to teach me how to quilt. I wanted to thank her now as I was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I wanted to thank her before I could no longer remember if I had. Below is the quilt she taught me how to make. Little did I know that it would be the last correspondence I would have with her. Her response to my note was so beautiful. In her touching and caring manner she turned my thank you note to her completely around to make it a tribute about me. Rest in peace Georjann I will remember you fondly.
Georjann was a kind and lovely person. One couldn’t have better and more generous neighbors than Georjann and Hal. They are missed. Condolences to the family.
My heart breaks to hear this news, the world won’t be the same without Georjann. What a light in the dark she was.. She always knew how to make me feel appreciated & know my worth, as she did many others. Throughout time we became close, texting gossip throughout the episodes of “the Golden Bachelorette” & sharing many laughs everytime we saw one another.
Georjann was different, Georjann was special.. I know God is holding her in his arms like she did so many with her quilts. I’ll never forget my friend, Georjann.
I love you Georjann, rest peacefully.
-Jennifer Hansmann
I am so sorry to see the passing of Mrs Deutsch. She was my 2nd grade teacher back in 1971-2. There are numerous memories and I am so thankful for her encouragement in writing cursive handwriting. I have had many compliments over the years and I have her to thank for that. I was glad I was able to catch up with her at Barb’s mother’s funeral… She was going to try to find out our school class photo from ’71-72 at SPX and let me copy it. I shared with her my business card as I now live in Sartell… I am hoping to make her celebration this spring. Please know that she and all the family are in my thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace… rchogan42@gmail.com
Richard C (Dick) Hogan SPX-78
My mother, Jean Seidel was blessed to be friends with Georjann for many years. They shared a passion for sewing beautiful pieces and loved sharing their talents with younger generations. I lost my precious mom in 2011. When I saw Georjann at a quilt retreat years later, she shared some of the amazing times they had. That was an incredible blessing to me! Please accept my condolences for your loss. Georjann was one of a kind and will be missed by everyone ♥️
Georjann and I lived next door to each other while in grade school. I moved away while in high school and we lost track of each other for about 60 years. We found each other on Facebook and reconnected. We did not need to renew our friendship. It was the same as always. We met up while she and Hal were in Arizona. It was as if a day had never passed! She was like a sister to me.
Q: What did Georjann like to do in their free time?
A: Hi Georjann, I wanted to drop you a note. I was looking for a pattern to make a quilt and came across the one you used to make in a class in lake Havasu. I, as a rookie quilter thought no way
I couldn’t imagine making this quilt no less allowing myself to follow the instructions of randomly pulling squares and putting them together with my o.c.d. But I bit the bullet following your instructions and guidance and went for it. The only thing I did different was fussy cut airplanes instead of using background fabric. I learned so much from you in that series of classes to complete that quilt. I never really took the time to thank you properly or express my gratitude for your time and experience. So as I’ve recently been diagnosed with alziemers I wanted to make sure I let you know before I unable to do so. I am filling my days making wonderful quilts now while I can for people I love thanks in part to the time you spent teaching me. Thank you, Rachelle Pare
I sent this email to Georjann on December 6th after I realized that I really had never expressed my gratitude for her kindness and generosity for teaching me to quilt. She sent me the most heartfelt response that I will always treasure. I’m so thankful I took the time to send her this as I had no idea it would be my last correspondence with her. God gives us windows of opportunities to let us share our appreciation to those we love.
Rest easy my friend.
Very fond memories of both Hal and Georgeann from our friendship at Islander RV Resort . Lake Havasu. My condolences to You all. Faith McCracken Drabbe
Georjann was my first grade teaching partner at St. Pius for several memorable years. She was a mentor, a creative partner, and firmly dedicated to helping each child reach their potential. Every
day with Georjann was an adventure as we planned our lessons each evening over the phone,
celebrated holidays with the first graders, built paper mache dinosaurs, invited parents in for programs and plays to highlight learning and self confidence and celebrated each bit of progress in reading and math. Her sense of humor was contagious and we had many joyful moments during the school day. She was an ultra talented teacher of young children and generously shared
ideas, materials, and wisdom as we developed a
closer and closer teaching partnership. One of the great gifts she gave me was advice when many years later I was about to retire. She told me retirement will be much fuller and richer if I had a hobby. Having enjoyed her marvelous quilting and sewing creativity for so many years, I decided to attempt quilting. Hundreds of projects later I still am grateful to her for that joy in my life. I miss her. I will never forget her talent, her love and understanding of young children, her generosity, her dedicated work ethic, and her friendship. May she rest in peace.
Maggie Cords Lammers
I loved Georjann dearly, and am with you in spirit. Blessings and love to all.