Maria Hanna Klopfer Meier

Maria, beloved daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully the evening of October 17, 2016, just 3 weeks following her 90th birthday celebration. She was born September 21, 1926, the second "miracle" child of Max Alfred and Marie Hedwig Schaller Klopfer, in Werdau, Saxony, East Germany. Though Maria was born with a dislocated hip and required several hip replacement surgeries later in life, she matured to a healthy and happy wife and mother, never complaining of the trials she endured. At 9 years of age, she was baptized a member of the LDS church in a community swimming pool and after finishing her German schooling, she accepted a call to serve in the Berlin mission home. While there, and through miraculous circumstances, she became acquainted with an American young man, Olaf Meier, whose parents had been good friends with her own many years earlier. They were married in Berlin on September 13, 1950, and the following year were sealed for eternity in the Manti Temple. Maria was a supportive and dedicated wife to Oli and faithfully filled a role as his secretary as he worked at his own appliance repair businesses, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Salt Lake City, Utah. She was a superb homemaker and excellent cook, treating family and friends to her delicious Rouladen, Gruene Kloesse and Christmas Stollen. She and Dad raised 5 children, 4 sons and a daughter and lovingly taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and example. She ably filled many ward and stake Primary and Relief Society callings, and with Dad served temple missions to Samoa, the Phillippines, and South Africa. She is survived by her children: Darrell (Sherisse), Kelvin (Sarah), Denise (Douglas) Datwyler, Brice (Laura), and Reed (Debra); 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother Herbert Klopfer; a daughter-in-law Debra; and her eternal companion, Olaf in 2014. All of us hold dear her patient and loving example and look forward to the time when we will be together with her again. Sincere thanks go to the staff of Cedarwood at Sandy, Encompass Hospice and care givers of HomeInstead, who have given Mom their love, tenderness, and friendship. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 24, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at the LDS chapel located at 7380 South 1300 West. Viewings will be held Sunday, Oct. 23rd, 6-8:00 p.m., at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, and again Monday prior to services at the church from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment, Redwood Memorial Estates. Place of Birth:Werdau, Saxony, East GermanyPlace of Death:Sandy, Utah