Helen Marie Sisler

Helen Marie Sisler, wife, mother, grandmother, died on September 20, at her home in Inverness Village in Tulsa, OK at the age of 86. Helen Marie was born on Nov 26, 1935 in Fulton, MO to Florence Marie Hutsel Gross and Fred Alfred Gross, Sr. She had two older brothers, Fredrick Alfred Gross Jr. and John Henry Gross, M.D. After her mother's death at age four, she was raised by her uncle Edward Gauledette Gross and Helen Edith Amspacher Gross, in Springfield, IL. She was raised with their adopted daughter, Jeanette Elizabeth Gross. While attending kindergarten in Springfield, she was run over by a car but suffered minimal injuries even though there were tire marks across her abdomen. She graduated from Springfield High, in Springfield, IL; was a member of the National Honor Society; and was known for playing the accordion. She attended Washington University in St. Louis from 1953-1957, where she briefly studied nursing before majoring in education. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and held offices of Secretary and Vice President. She taught first grade at Buder Elementary in St. Ann, MO, for a year and a half. She met her husband, Jerry Sisler, M.D., on a blind date at a square dance. They married on June 22, 1957 and moved to Tulsa in 1963. She was the mother to four children - Wade, Stephanie, Kathleen, and Julie - and she often raised the children by herself when Jerry's overseas medical service called him to Vietnam, Jordan, and Brazil. Helen Marie was adventurous and participated in camping, canoeing, spelunking, cycling and birding. She rode across Oklahoma on a tandem bicycle with Jerry multiple times on the annual Freewheel ride. She was an avid fisher, and loved traveling to Rockport,TX with her brother-in-law, Dean Chance and brother John Gross in pursuit of redfish and trout. Her green thumb was her superpower and she cultivated an incredible array of edible delights in her mid-town garden from apples to zucchini. Her gardens and greenhouses were featured in the Tulsa Garden Tour in 1983. A natural leader, she served as Cub Scout Den Mother and led two Camp Fire Girl groups. She was also active in the P.E.O. Chapter EY Sisterhood, the Tulsa Garden Club and a local investment club. Helen Marie's faith was an important part of her life and she was member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. Helen Marie is survived by her son, Wade Sisler (Elizabeth) of Bethesda, MD; daughters Stephanie Martell (Jim), of Tulsa, Kathleen Sisler, M.D. of Tulsa, Julie Steiner (Jon) of Tulsa; grandchildren, Michael and Jonathan Martell, Stephen (Katherine) and James Steiner, and Sabra and Gavin Sisler. She also leaves behind many cherished relatives. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church, Tulsa. A private burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tulsa Symphony, Tulsa Signature Symphony at TCC, the Tulsa Rose Garden c/o Tulsa Garden Club, or the charity of your choosing. Moore Southlawn 918-663-2233

Helen Marie Sisler

November 26, 1935 - September 20, 2022