After a courageous battle with cancer, Maria Barbara Herauf (nee Schmidt) passed away on April 15, 2014. She was surrounded by her family including her loving husband of 56 years, Peter.
Maria was born on May 27, 1936 in Polotzk, Russia, to Maria Doetzel and Johannes Schmidt. She was the youngest of seven children. Four sisters - Katharina, Anna, Valentina and Rosa - died as children during WWII. Maria immigrated to Canada at the age of 12, in 1948, with her parents and brothers Florian and John. They settled in Camrose, Alberta where Maria grew up and worked as an Operating Room Nurse.
On a beautiful fall evening in October 1956, at a wedding dance in Ohaton, Alberta, she met the love of her life, Peter. They were married on June 17, 1957, and moved to Wainwright, Alberta, where they welcomed seven children in nine years: Sharon (Bryan), Paul, Dan (Claire), Mike (Sharla), Kathy, Joe (Judy), Mark (Nicky). In 1974, they moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, where Maria resided until her passing.
Maria was blessed with seventeen grandchildren: Chelsea and Ashlee Bokor, Cody and Hanna Herauf, Alicia, Joshua, Amy and Sydney Herauf, Andrew and Allison Herauf, Sarah, Hailey and Luke Perozak, Zachary and Jacob Herauf, Theo and Liam Ralph. They all dearly loved their Oma. Maria was active in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She loved to knit, crochet and sew and was always making something for one of her grandchildren. She loved to bake. There were always homemade cookies at Oma's house. Maria was also an accomplished story teller. Anyone who knew her was mesmerized at one time or another by one of her stories. Maria had a very green thumb. Her home and yard was full of beautiful plants and flowers. She was called upon many times to help resuscitate a house plant that one of her children or friends had neglected. There isn't enough space to mention how much she did for or meant to so many people.
Maria is survived by her loving husband, Peter Herauf, her children and grandchildren, who will miss her every minute of every day. Also left to mourn are many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings.
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 7:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback, Celebrant.
Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
Maria's family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care Maria received at the Palliative Care Unit at St. Michael's. If friends would like to do so, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Michael's Palliative Care Unit, www.covenantlethbridge.ca/?page_id=170 or a charity of your choice.
