ROSEMARIE SAMWEBER RODRIGUEZ

ROSEMARIE SAMWEBER RODRIGUEZ
Dec. 12, 1927-May 29, 2010
She had the most beautiful blue eyes - sky blue - but now they are closed. From the day she was born in Munich, Germany to Anton and Walburga Samweber (the oldest of 11 children), those eyes shone on everyone, and everyone remembered her. She was stunning, and her nickname was Weiwe.
But her wonderful eyes also felt the fear of World War II and Hitler's Nazi regime. She loathed the "brown shirts" and was often outspoken. As a teenager she endured Allied bombing runs both day and night in Munich with her father. She made it through the war and fell in love with a brown-eyed, handsome and sweet American G.I. named Pablo Adan Rodriguez Sr. from Weslaco, Texas. Even though he only spoke English and she only spoke German, their love grew and they were married on July 29, 1948 in Munich. As a young "war bride" she left her beautiful, snow-covered native land and ventured to the heat of South Texas. Bavaria was always in her heart, yet she remained in the Rio Grande Valley to raise a family. She last visited her beloved country in 1988 to attend her mother's 80th birthday.
Rosemarie's eyes were very striking, and all who met her commented on how beautiful they were. But it was also her personality that stood out - there was only one "Rosemarie." She was a headstrong, outspoken, fearless and unique woman, nothing slowed her down, not even two bad knees. She loved shopping for special little gifts to give to family and friends, and always enjoyed her morning cup of Dallmayr coffee. One of her favorite things to do was watch the German TV programs that her brother-in-law, Herb Langen, taped and sent to her. That made her day, especially watching her favorite entertainer, Hansi Hinterseer, perform. She also enjoyed spending time at the Riverside Club in Mission with all of her friends, listening and dancing to the music of German Joe's Polka Band. Two of her favorite songs were "Das Weg Zum Herzen" and "Das Kufsteiner Leid."
Rosemarie had a wonderful, full life, but on May 29, her husband's 83rd birthday, she only had the strength to keep her heart beating until her family gathered by her side. She then opened her beautiful blue eyes one last time for a final "Auf Wiedersehen."
Rosemarie is survived by her daughters Rosemarie "Motschi" (Ray) de la Cruz Sr., Carolina "Queenie" (John) Pemelton, and son Pablo "Pikey" Rodriguez Jr., all of McAllen; grandsons Ray "Noonie" (Molly) de la Cruz of Anaheim, CA, and Danny (Brenda) de la Cruz of McAllen; great-grandsons Anton Ray de la Cruz and Danny de La Cruz II, and great-granddaughter Kadie Ann De La Cruz. She is also survived by her sisters, Antonie "Bobe" Biebl, Walburga "Wally" Schuster, Annemarie "Muschi" Hoffmann, Karolina Langen, all of Munich, Germany, Hannelore Moore of McAllen, and brothers, Anton "Burli" Samweber, Josef "Seppi" Samweber, both of Munich, Germany, and Maximilian Samweber of Ingolstadt, Germany. She also has many nieces and nephews in the Valley and Germany. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Inge Spratter, and brother, Hansi Samweber, both of Munich, Germany.
A big thank you to everyone who joined in making this incredible woman's life a wonderful journey.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kreidler Funeral Home, 314 N. 10th St., McAllen (686-0234). Visitation is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. tonight (June 3) at Kreidler Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, June 4, at Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel, 1108 Hackberry, McAllen. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery, 1201 S. Main St., McAllen.
Pallbearers will be Rosemarie's grandsons, Ray De La Cruz Jr. and Danny De La Cruz; nephew, James Moore; sons-in-law, Ray De La Cruz Sr. and John Pemelton; and close friend, Larry Ringler.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Palm Valley Animal Center, 2501 W. Trenton Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539.
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