My Aunt Maria passed away on the 14th. I was lucky enough to be able to go out to Utah to be there for the funeral with my sister. Maria was the one who when my mom passed away when I was 11 stepped in and took care of me and my dad. She was a fantastic person who I will greatly miss.


Here is her obituary if you want to read it:
Maria Ernst passed away peacefully November 14, 2009 at the age of 93. She was born in 1916 in Germany during World War I. She was one of 9 children who loved each other and were very close. After their mother died, Maria became caretaker for the younger children, which began her life of service and caring for others. The family struggled during World War II and after. She took care of her own siblings and her sister's children as they all fought to rebuild after the war. The strength that came from those years was remarkable and was evident to all that knew Maria.In the 1950's, she immigrated to America, not speaking a word of English. She worked as a housekeeper in Cody, Wyoming for a family that she loved dearly. It was there that she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of the restored gospel was firm. She moved to New York City to be near her younger sister Anna and learned to sew so she could get a job in the same design house in the garment district. Maria loved the people in the Manhattan ward and the Spanish branch where she served tirelessly taking care of baptismal clothing.After she retired, she followed Anna and her family to Utah where she lived the rest of her life. She served as a missionary in the Frankfurt Temple in 1988 which she loved. She spent countless hours in the temple, doing genealogy, and sewing clothing for humanitarian projects. Everything she did was meticulous--her best effort. That is how she lived her life until the end. She was positive and strong in spirit, even when her body became weak. She never married and had children of her own, but she truly had a mother's heart. After Anna died, Maria took care of her ailing brother-in-law and their young daughter for seven years until their oldest daughter finished schooling. How can we ever express the love and appreciation that we (Anna's daughters) feel for our special aunt Maria. She has strengthened us and sacrificed for us. She taught us to work hard, serve others and have faith. We will miss her so much. We are sure the reunion on the other side was great and joyous.She is survived by one sister in Canada and nieces and nephews in Germany, Canada and Utah/Indiana. The family would like to thank the staff at the Beehive Home and CNS hospice for their kindness and help in caring for Maria the last year and a half of her life.Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 23 at 2pm at the Suncrest 10th ward, 90 North 600 West, Orem, with a viewing before the services at 1 pm. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery.