Maria Anna Miller-Mess, 87, of Davenport, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus, in Davenport after a long and fulfilling life.
Services were held on Monday, April 10, at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldridge. Graveside services will be held at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Gothenburg, Neb., at a later date. Chambers Funeral Home in Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements.
Maria was born in Kornwestheim, Germany, on May 30, 1935, the daughter of Wilhelm and Maria (Scheffold) Launer. She completed the 8th grade in the aftermath of WWII and started sewing school, but with no apprenticeships available, went to work in the Salamander Shoe factory working six years before emigrating to the United States.
On Jan. 21, 1956, she married Army serviceman Edward H. Miller in Kornwestheim, where he was stationed at the time. They came to the United States and made their home north of Gothenburg, where their four children were born. Maria was a farm wife, working alongside her husband to milk cows, ranch and raise their children. A tragic farming accident took Ed’s life on Sept. 7, 1989. Maria also baked and cooked at the Gothenburg High School cafeteria for 19 years, retiring in 2000.
Through the “Singles in Ag” group, Maria met Elmer Mess, and they were married on July 6, 2002. Together they enjoyed traveling with the SIA group, made many trips, and enjoyed dancing with friends in the Davenport area. She loved a good polka and could still dance with the best of them.
Maria had an adventurous spirit, a wanderlust for traveling and enjoyed connecting with friends, old and new. Her love language was serving and cooking. She always had a cup of coffee ready and food to share. Her cinnamon rolls and brownies were a treat.
Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Elmer Mess, and his children, spouses and grandkids who knew no other Oma; her children, Henry (David) Miller, Lori Ann (Steve) Dudley, Heidi (Dan) Mussack and Trudy Ecoffey; 10 grandchildren, Lacee Gregg, Quentin (Kati) Dudley, Anneli (Joe) Dudley/Dickey, Ellen Dudley, William Dudley (Liz Gaston), Allison (Jonathan) Petersen, Abby Mussack (Matt Riani), Echo, Jade and Jules Ecoffey; her sister-in-law, Elsie Launer; her niece, Anita (Klaus) Vieten; and her nephew, Franz (Kelley) Launer. Maria had eight great- grandchildren that she loved to hold.
Maria was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Ed; and her siblings, Alfred Launer and Gretal (Franz) Staudenraus
In honor of Maria’s memory, please make memorials out to Lori Dudley with designation to Zion Lutheran Church, Red Cloud Indian School or Summit Church Historical Society, and send to 25547 Oliver Ave., Worthington, MN 56187.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Maria’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.
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