Maria-Luise MacFarlane

Maria-Luise MacFarlane COLUMBIA Maria-Luise Emma Johanna Krumreich MacFarlane, 92, died Wednesday, January 9, 2013. Maria-Luise was born March 23, 1920 in Friedenau, Berlin Germany. She was the daughter of the late Admiral Emil Krumreich, born 1876 and Gertrude Hackenberg Krumreich, born 1880. Her parents were married December 12, 1905 in their Berliner Dom. Maria-Luise grew up in Friedenau and Kleinmachnow, Berlin, and in her youth, she was educated at the Konigin Luise Schule until graduating into a specialty sports school where she earned her certificates for life saving, scull and parallel bars until she graduated with honors in 1939 from Gertrauden Schule. Maria-Luise's later youth was dramatically impacted by Hitler's regime. Her oldest brother, Hans Horst, was killed in 1936 by the regime due to his membership in a resistance group which had begun in Nuremberg in the early 1920's. Maria-Luise's father received an early and abrupt retirement in 1935 due to the family's political convictions against the Nazi party. Before this time her family often entertained General Goring and Donits all of whom were in upper commands and slated to take over when Hitler left office. Maria-Luise served for six months in 1939 in the Labor Service. This city girl milked a cow with much anxiety and was served meals in a single pot in a central dish in the middle of a table from which the entire family ate. Her work was free to the farm through Freiwilliger Deutsche Arbeits-Dinst Der Weiblischen Jungend. The German's Young Womens Free Workers Project came with the Nazi party- they claimed it was volunteer but in fact without your service, you could not attend University. The war began in September 1939 as Maria-Luise began her first class at the University of Berlin where she later graduated with a degree in Political Science. Her dreams of law school were lost to fate. During her university years she spent many happy summers sculling the lakes of Swinermunde. Her engagement to Baron Otto Von Boehn ended tragically when this young U-Boat commander was lost at sea. Following university, Maria-Luise was employed by the U.S. Government as a translator and was headquartered in a POW camp, commanded by Lt. James MacFarlane, originally from Glasgow, Scotland. The two met when Maria-Luise was a ski coach; they fell in love and were married in Schloss Eisenbach, Austria in July 1947. Maria-Luise came to the United States as one of the original war brides and gave birth to her only child, Rosemarie, in May 1948 in New York City. This serious and athletic young woman was well-loved and thoroughly enjoyed by James' 11 brothers, sisters and mother. Mrs. MacFarlane arrived the first time in Columbia in 1950 on the Silver Meteor Train and left for Europe in 1952 where she lived with her husband and daughter until 1958. During those six years the family lived predominantly in Brittany and Paris, France. Her final return to Columbia was in 1959. Maria-Luise began her teaching career in 1961 in the Richland County School District 2 System. She taught passionately for 20 years and produced extraordinary students, all of whom she was tremendously proud. Her German Club repeatedly returned with honors from all regional competitions. She was department head for District 2 foreign language. She retired from Spring Valley High School in 1981 and volunteered for decades to follow at Providence Hospital, Riverbanks Zoo and several elementary schools. For many years, she continued her professional translating career through the German Embassy in Atlanta. Maria-Luise was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her greatest treasure was her family. She is survived by her only daughter Rosemarie MacFarlane Craig; her three grandchildren, Richard Lynn Miller III (Laurie Knapp Miller), Kimberlee Miller Neel (Bruce Wilson Neel), and Bradford MacFarlane Miller; four beautiful great-grandchildren, Tess MacFarlane Miller, Ian Hansen Miller, Collin Edmunds Miller, and Kendall Wilson Neel, all of Columbia and nieces and nephews. Ute, Uve, Folka and Dagmar Krumreich. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband and brothers, Bodo and Hans Horst Krumreich. A memorial service will be held Monday, January 14, 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. The family will receive and celebrate with friends after the service at 807 Gervais St., Ste. 305. Dunbar Funeral Home is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Riverbanks Zoo Primate Exhibit, Riverbank Zoo, P.O Box 1060, Columbia SC 29202. Please sign online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.