Rosemarie Hiller Weixler's Obituary
Rosemarie Weixler
1935 – 2019
Rosemarie Hiller Weixler 83, loving wife, mother, grandmother (Oma), great grandmother and friend passed away peacefully the morning of July 28, 2019 at her home with her beloved husband of 62 years by her side, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Rose was born September 7, 1935 in Flensburg Germany to Anna Elisabeth Jost and Gustav Herman Hiller, the oldest of six children. Rose helped raise her siblings during World War II when her father was drafted into the German army and spent long periods away from the family. Rose developed many domestic skills at an early age including cooking, gardening and managing the family finances. She was an excellent student and was chosen as one of many classmates to be educated in a special school in Denmark. She developed a love for her Savior as a teenager, after acquiring permission from her reluctant father; she was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a result of this decision she was asked to leave her home but was given special permission to serve in the East German mission at age 18. Rose met her husband Heinz during her mission. He recalls noticing the beautiful Rose descending the stairs in the ward building and knowing she was someone who was very special. After her mission Heinz invited Rose to visit, and their courtship soon led to marriage. Rosemarie married Heinz Weixler March 7, 1957 in Goeppingen, Germany. Not long after the ceremony she traveled in a small sedan with her mother and father in law and brother and sister in law to Switzerland where the couple was sealed in the Bern Switzerland Temple March 9, 1957.
Heinz and Rose chose to build their life close to their faith. After a steam liner ocean crossing and three days on a Continental Trailways bus, they arrived with their few possessions in the Salt Lake Valley July 25, 1957. Rose recalls seeing floats from the recent parade still lining some of the downtown streets. Rose quickly perfected her English language skills as she worked caring for children and cleaning the Continental Bank building in downtown Salt Lake City. Rose went on to obtain her GED and was trained as a nurse at the community college, a skill she would use often and generously throughout her life.
Rose loved her family and her greatest blessings were her three children Barbara, David and Thomas. She loved, nurtured, defended and supported them in every endeavor. Rose was often seen on the bleachers attending her children’s sporting events, and sometimes one of the few on the sidelines during practice. Rose’s support extended from children to her grandchildren and she cared for and attended sporting events, concerts or any event important to her family. It was not uncommon for almost anyone to wave to Rose with the greeting of “Hi Oma” and to receive a hug and a kiss in return. Rose also supported her family in Germany and returned often to visit her parents and siblings who loved and cherished their daughter, sister and friend.
Serving others was a hallmark of Rose’s life and in addition to her selfless love and care for her family her training as a nurse led to years of faithful community service. She worked with many single mothers inviting them often to her home. She also cared for those with disabilities and nursed friends who were ill in her neighborhood and community. It was commonplace to see Rose with a trunk full of food and supplies to deliver to someone in need. Throughout her life she labored faithfully in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and her neighborhood. She served as a stake missionary, Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, in multiple Stake, Sunday School and Primary callings and was the Relief Society President in the East Millcreek 12th ward. Rose also loved serving by her husband’s side as a Salt Lake City inner-city missionary. With her savvy sense for business she could turn a dime into a dollar and one dollar into ten. She was generous with her time and means as she was with her love. Her zest for life, infectious smile, inclusive spirit and ingenuity not only elevated those who were close to her but all whose paths she crossed.
Rose is survived by her husband Heinz Weixler; children Barbara (Richard) Luce, David (Kirstin) Weixler, Thomas (Brenda) Weixler; 10 grandchildren (Richard, Nikki, Christopher, David Jr., Annie, Ashley, Sara, Hillary, Andrew and Parker) 6 great grandchildren (Braxton, Kaiser, Deliliah, Elisie, Levi and Bodie); her sister Brigitte (Achim) Zons and her brother Dieter (Birgit) Hiller. Preceded in death by her parents Anna Elisabeth Hiller, Gustav Herman Hiller, brothers; Hans Uwe (Inge) Hiller and Rolf Hiller, sister Helma (Gustav) Grotkopp and grandson Taylor Weixler.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, August 3, 2019 at the East Millcreek Stake Center, 3103 East Craig Drive, SLC, Utah. Friends may call Friday August 2, from 6:00 -8:00 pm or 9:30 -10:45 am prior to the service at the same location. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Dr., SLC, UT.
A special thanks to the caring team at Elevation Hospice for making this difficult journey easier for our family. Bonnie and Taylor, thank you for your kindness.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Huntsman Cancer Institute.
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