Ute Giese

Ute Giese

January 9, 1932 – March 27, 2026

Ute Giese, age 94, of Morehead, Kentucky, died on March 27, 2026. 

Ute was born in Hamburg, Germany, on January 9, 1932, to Richard and Elle Elise Nehls Fuhrmann, the second of four children.  She was a strong, athletic child, and was happiest outdoors.  During World War II, her family moved to the countryside village of Handeloh for safety. There, she spent joyful days running and playing ball in the heather fields with the neighborhood children, including her good friend Dierk Giese. She initially thought that Dierk’s older brother, Uwe, was rather boring because he preferred reading books to playing outside. However, after Uwe returned from agricultural college, he asked Ute to join him in taking dancing lessons. She happily accepted, and her opinion of him quickly changed. The two fell in love, and they were married in 1950.

In 1951, Ute gave birth to their first son, Heiko, in Hamburg.  Soon after, Uwe immigrated to the United States, working hard for six months to save the funds needed for Ute and Heiko to join him.  In 1952, Ute and baby Heiko took the long boat voyage to Ellis Island, New York.  She was seasick the entire time and was grateful to finally arrive in the U.S. and be reunited with Uwe.  They started a new life together in Sterling, Colorado, where the next four children were born: Maud, Peter, Rebecca, and Markus.  In 1958, the family moved to a farm near Rumford, Maine, and the family grew to include Reuben, Manoah, Michael, and Matthew.

As the mother of a large family, Ute worked hard.  Every morning, she would build a fire in the kitchen wood stove to cook breakfast and, in the winter, she began her day by breaking the ice in the kitchen water pail.  Nourishing a family of eleven meant constant gardening, canning, cooking, and laundry, as well as caring for a lively mix of animals, including cattle, geese, German Shepherds, a barn cat, a goat, and a sheep that acted like a goat.

Ute treasured every member of her family, and she was resourceful and tireless in nurturing them.  This was not just her priority, but her life's work, and she gave them her very best.  In 1970, the family moved to Morehead, Kentucky, which remained Ute’s beloved home until her death.

Ute was unpretentious and genuine, balancing her bold, direct nature with humility and deep empathy.  She held a strong sense of fairness and kindness, teaching her children to treat others with respect and always look for the good in people, often saying, “We’re all just doing the best we can.”  An excellent listener, Ute valued each person’s unique perspective.  She also had a remarkable gift for storytelling, transporting her listeners to another place and time with the perfect blend of heart and humor, sprinkled with insights into human nature.

Most of all, Ute will be remembered for her strong faith.  Though raised as atheists, when one of Jehovah’s Witnesses shared logical reasons to believe that a Creator does exist, she and Uwe were convinced.  She came to know and love Jehovah God and his Son, Jesus, and spent her life sharing her faith with her children and with her community.  Even as her health declined, she never stopped reaching out, writing hundreds of letters to bring Bible-based comfort to her neighbors.

Ute was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Uwe Giese; her parents; her sister, Rita Schuenzel; and her brother, Peter Fuhrmann. She is survived by her 9 children and their spouses: Heiko (and Theresa) Giese of Pikeville, KY; Maud (and Lenny) Taylor of Lexington, KY; Peter (and Johanna) Giese of Gastonia, NC; Rebecca Campbell of Lexington, KY; Markus (and Diana) Giese of Olive Hill, KY; Reuben Giese of Morehead, KY; Manoah (and Susanna) Giese of Weaverville, NC; Michael (and Izeria) Giese of Morehead, KY; and Matthew Giese of Morehead, KY; 19 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; her sister, Elke Barna of Hamden, CT; and two dear sisters-in-law, Dagmar Fuhrmann of North Haven, CT; and Maleen Hake of Hamburg, Germany.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1455 US Highway 60 W, Morehead KY 40351.

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