Auf Wiedersehen!

Last Thursday, May 1st, we had Oma's (my mom's mother) viewing at the Stake Center where she used to live (in Sugarhouse). We went and drove past her and Opa's house while we were up there. She sold it about 3 years ago when she got sick the first time and she moved in with my aunt Gerlinda and uncle Richard. I haven't driven by the house since it was sold and when we did the other day, I almost started crying. All of the fond memories of that house and Oma and Opa came flooding back. The house looked a lot different. Even the church that was on the corner by her house is gone! They tore it down. So, then we drove to the stake center which is all remodeled and when we went into the Relief Society Room where Oma was I started bawling. She looked beautiful! And then Gavin kept say "OMA!" in his high voice and waving at her. That made me cry more. Zane and Lindsay were asking all sorts of questions like "is she with Opa now?"(Lindsay) and "do we get to see them bury her?" (Zane, that one made me laugh). The viewing was really nice. Friday was a beautiful day. We had a small viewing before the funeral and then the family prayer. That was the hardest part. Saying our last goodbyes before they closed the casket. Zane kept asking me, "what's those things falling off your face?" They were tears and he'd never seen me cry that hard. Her funeral service was short and sweet. I got to play one of her favorite songs on the piano "Somewhere My Love". I screwed up the beginning of the song and started over, but was able to get through the rest of the song. I get so nervous that my hands shake and are ice cold. Oh well. We went up to the cemetery where my dad dedicated the grave. I didn't think I'd be so emotionally drained from this but I was and after we got home all I wanted to do was sleep!

I am so grateful to be a part of the Blietschau family. My Opa and Oma sacrificed so much to come to America. I wish I could tell you all their amazing stories of how Opa fought in the War and how Oma had to escape from the Russians in East Germany. Also the story of how they met and Opa converted her to the church. We need to right a book on all of it (Karen...). I'm so grateful for the knowledge that we have that we WILL see them again and that Oma is in the arms of Opa and our Savior! Ich liede dich Oma! Auf Wiedersehen!

Dan was an Honorary Pallbearer

My parents, brother and sisters. My brother Matt was able to drive with his wife, Lauren, from California to be there.

We all had a flower to put on the casket.

Anneliese Blietschau

Anneliese Blietschau "Oma" 1927 ~ 2008 Beloved wife, mother, Oma, Ur-Oma and friend, Anneliese Grabowsky Blietschau, returned to her Heavenly Father and eternal sweetheart on April 28, 2008 at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City Utah. At 81, she died ultimately from kidney failure.She was born on January 9, 1927 in Koenigsberg, East Prussia, Germany to Karl August and Anna Elise Kluike Grabowsky. She was taught the gospel by her future husband and baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in January 1949. Days later, Annelie and her mother narrowly escaped from East Germany. Her strong faith and determination spared her life. Annelie married Fritz Blietschau on November 11, 1949 in Stuttgart, Germany. Then together they left their homeland to begin a new life together in America and Salt Lake City, Utah. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1950. She was a hard worker and learned new skills quickly. She enjoyed working for the LDS Genealogical Society, Auerbach's Department Store, and the Utah CV Federal Credit Union. She later found happiness working in the food services department at the University of Utah and retired as a supervisor after 31 years of service. As a faithful member of the Church, Annelie found joy in serving in various organizations in the German Speaking Ward in Salt Lake. She served on the activities committee, a teacher of various ages, Junior Sunday School coordinator, and Young Women's president - among many other positions. She shared her testimony of Jesus Christ with everyone. She had a friendly personality, loved her garden and crocheted beautiful afghans for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed collecting elegant crystal and German Hummels. She also loved decorating her lovely home with delightful items from her German heritage. Annelie was a wonderful hostess and was excited to entertain and spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Annelie loved the theater and her acting skills were very versatile. She found great satisfaction in performing. She could be serious one moment and a true comedian the next. She also enjoyed writing and reading poetry. As a member of various performing groups, she showed her talents as a narrator and master of ceremonies. She is survived by her four children: Annemaria (Harold) Skousen; Christiana (Jack) Peterson; Gerlinda (Richard) Williams; Andree (Moana) Blietschau; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren who all love her and will miss her very much. Preceded in death by her husband of 51 years (Fritz), her parents, four older brothers and one sister. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 1 p.m. in the Imperial Ward Chapel, 2700 S. Filmore Street (1520 East), Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing for friends will be held Thursday evening May 1, 2008 from 6-8 p.m. at the Imperial Ward building, and also at 12 noon prior to the funeral. Funeral services provided by Mountain View Memorial, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Burial at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Special thanks to Gerlinda and Richard Williams in whose care Annelie lived during these past three years.

Oma

Early this morning, my Oma (my German grandma) peacefully passed away at St. Mark's Hospital. Even though we are sad and will miss her dearly, we are so grateful she is not sick or hurting anymore and now she is finally reunited with my Opa. Opa died a little over 7 years ago and she has had a broken heart ever since. Then 3 years ago, we thought we were going to lose Oma when my aunt, Gerlinda, found her lying facedown in her home. She was in a coma for a short while (they're not quite sure what the problem was), we all said our goodbyes, but for some reason, only the Lord knows why, she was able to stay with us for a little bit longer. She's struggled with some other illnesses and a broken heart. She really wanted to be with Opa. This past weekend, after being sick all week, they discovered she had cancer in all over her lungs and kidneys. Her kidneys started shutting down and so did everything else. We were able to go up to the hospital yesterday, knowing it would probably be the last time we were able to see her. She looked so tired and sick. She was awake, but seemed a little confused. She started talking to Dan in German. We took one last picture with her before we left. Then my mom called this morning to stay she'd passed away. We are going to miss her but I know she is so HAPPY to be with Opa, her parents and her brothers and sister. Oma, you have been an amazing example of strength and courage to us. We love you so much! God be with you 'til we meet again!

This was taken this past Christmas.

Our kids colored these pictures to give to Oma yesterday at the hospital. Lindsay's is the top portion. It is a picture of Oma and Opa coming to America in a boat and the green person is the Statue of Liberty. She came up with this idea all by herself. She told me she wanted to color a picture of something a long time ago, like when Oma and Opa came to America. That girl doesn't forget anything! Zane's is the middle picture. He drew a flower and on the right side is a treehouse and boat for Oma. Gavin's is the bottom which is just a bunch a cute scribbles.


This is the our last picture with Oma yesterday. She was so tired and sick, but I'm glad we got to see her.