Maria Eicker

1941 - 2024

Maria Lena Eicker, affectionately known as "Toots/Tootsie," aged 82, of Detour, MD, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday June 28, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on November 10, 1941, in Baltimore, MD, she was the cherished daughter of the late Hans and Pauline Steffen.

Maria enjoyed family farm life and riding horses. She was involved in sports such as basketball. She served as the class president of the Elmer Wolfe graduating Class of 1959 and later as the secretary of the Union Bridge Alumni Association. Maria pursued a career in the medical field, working for Dr. Pessagno, a dentist in Catonsville, Dr. Caricofe of Union Bridge, and Parkview Medical Group of Frederick.

On November 4, 1962, she married Carl Werner Eicker, known as Ike. They lived in Catonsville where they raised their children, Gary and Kathy. They later built a new home and returned to the family farm.

Maria devoted much of her time to various hobbies and passions, including cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, gardening, tending to her violets and orchids, enjoying shopping days with Mary, dinners and dancing, swimming, reading, and traveling.

She will be remembered for her kindness and devotion to her family and friends, love for shopping and purple, coordinated attire, a resilient spirit, and for adding beauty everywhere to everything she did. One person, one lifetime, so many beautiful memories.

Maria is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Carl Eicker (Ike); son Gary Eicker of Emmitsburg; son-in-law Michael Crouse of Detour; granddaughter Kelsey Fowler and husband Samson and great-grandson Adam of Gettysburg; grandson Kyle Crouse of Columbia; grandson Justin Crouse and wife Jesie of Taneytown; brother Herman Steffen and sister-in-law Mary of Detour; sister-in-law Rosemarie of Baltimore; niece Paula Putman and husband Michael, great-nephew Andrew, and great-niece Hailey of Detour; niece Rhonda Steffen of Detour; as well as many cousins and close friends. She was predeceased by her parents Hans and Pauline Steffen and her daughter Kathleen Crouse.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Hartzler Funeral Home, 404 S. Main Street, Woodsboro, MD at 11 am, with Pastor Cathy Feil officiating. Interment will follow in Keysville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday, July 1, 2024 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BridgingLife Hospice, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD 21157 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr Mark Miller, Bridging Life Hospice (especially Jenny and Kassie), the Lieb cousins, Becky, Pat and the many family, friends, and neighbors who visited and brought flowers and food during the time of her illness.

A message or memory may be placed on her "tribute wall" at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com. Maria Eicker