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Liesel Nimptsch Obituary
Liesel was known for her charming personality and love for storytelling. She had a gift for captivating people of all ages with tales from her life experiences, which made her many friends, young and old. Liesel was an exceptional hostess, always going above and beyond like making homemade goulash and rum cake to make her guests feel at home. Such a rare gift! She loved children and was always eager to care for and play with them. She had a passion for gardening and her flower gardens were always a sight to behold. She was extremely active, even shoveling rock off a truck in her 80's in order to make her flower garden more beautiful. She was very healthy right up to the last week of her life. Liesel adored celebrating the Holidays, filling her home with elaborate decorations, which often included things like a painstakingly decorated Christmas tree, a gingerbread house, and an Easter egg tree. Liesel cared deeply about everyone around her and was very forgiving. She often said that you need to take them as they come. It is just one of the many reasons that she will be missed.
Liesel is survived by her daughter, Ilona Nimptsch, two grandchildren, Venessa Henderson and Shannon Harrison, and four great-grandchildren, Hunter, Chloe, Christian, and Logan, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Waldemar Nimptsch, her sister Margarete Delano, her three brothers, Walt, John, and Karl Goeres, her son Dieter Nimptsch, and her grandson Martin Nimptsch.
Liesel's ashes will be placed next to her grandson Martin in Michigan. The family has requested that there be no funeral or formal services. However, they have set up a Legacy page as a memorial for Liesel where people can share their memories and stories of her. In lieu of condolences cards, the family requests that messages be left on the Legacy page.
Ilona has asked that there be no flowers or donations. Instead, she requests that people share their loving messages and memories of her mother. Liesel's family and friends will always cherish her memory and the impact she had on their lives.
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Marlisa Goeres Bradfield
June 20, 2023
I thought of something else and no doubt we will all keep thinking of more and more memories. But Mom told me that she stayed with Aunt Liesel while I was in the hospital in Frankfurt Germany right after I was born I'm not sure how long she stayed with her but I was premature and it was no doubt easier for her and closer for her to come and see me staying with Aunt Liesel.. I was in the hospital for over a month. And who would have thought that 22 years later I would have my own premature baby and also stay with Aunt Liesel because she lived in Grand Rapids at the time and that's where my Sarah was for over 2 weeks. So to be closer to her, I stayed with Aunt Liesel for a few days. And very lovingly, Ilona drove me to and from the hospital everyday so that I could be with her. What a loving family we have!
Marlisa (Metza)
June 19, 2023
Tanta Liesel..... What can I say? Everyone's comments have described her so well! Each one have made me cry! It's so beautiful to read it all and to know that she was loved by so many and she was! Her stories! Oh my! Her stories! They were a joy to listen to. She loved the story of when she first saw me. I was born in Germany and she and Uncle Waldemar stood outside the hospital window, she said, in Frankfurt Germany, and she said the nurse held me up by my ankles! She said, you looked like a skinned rabbit! All three pounds 6 oz of me! It was always fun to go ee time to Liesel. Candy... It was always always candy either she brought it to us or we had it when we went to see her. And when we live next door to her and would go and visit, remember Ilona? We would have Pringles potato chips and 7UP and listen to music and dance! I remember spending the night and I loved the German down comforters ! Nothing like them! Tanta Liesel was always so positive. Despite having grown up under not such good circumstances during the war she came from not having much of anything but then truly appreciated being well cared for and having nice things later in life. She never took that for granted. She was such a hard worker. Always moving. And took such good care of herself. A Wonderful example for all of us to follow. I cry as I say, Tanta Liesel was my favorite! I often told her that she was my Tanta. I told her not to tell anybody. So ssshhh!!! Don't tell! I have a recording on my phone of the last time I visited with her on the phone. I'm so happy that I recorded it. It's so good to hear her voice. All of us cousins were privilege to have her as our Tanta! Ilona, thank you for taking such good care of her! We love you so much for that! And she loved you. You are so precious to her. Dad and Aunt Liesel were very close. I think they looked more like than the others. And I think they were a lot alike in their beautiful qualities of generosity and love for other people. They both loved people no matter what. They saw the good qualities and those around them and love them for those good qualities. Again, they were both beautiful examples for all of us to follow in that way. I'm proud to have been her niece! I love you Ilona.
Robert Goeres
June 19, 2023
Aunt Liesle,
What a wonderful,kind and loving aunt. We had the privilege of growing up next door and always looked forward to running across the field and spending time with her. We were always welcomed with a pretty smile and lots of love. I am so grateful to have so many wonderful memories.
Sarah
June 19, 2023
Aunt Liesel is my Great-Aunt, and Great she was! Even though her housekeeping was pristine, she never made us children feel like we were trespassing or uncomfortable! I remember staying over night a few times, and she had ironed the bed sheets! I felt like a princess when I crawled into that bed!
My favorite was sitting on her patio, in the swing, surrounded by all of her fragrant flowers, and listening....listening to her talk. Aunt Liesel's voice was one of the most soothing sounds!
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Andy Rynberg
June 19, 2023
Andy Rynberg
June 19, 2023
Andy Rynberg
June 19, 2023
Andy Rynberg
June 19, 2023
Andy Rynberg
June 19, 2023
Andy Rynberg
June 19, 2023
Andy Rynberg
June 19, 2023
Always will miss her! She made me feel like I was number one. Spoiled me and was always a consummate host. Taught me a lot about life and accepting people for who they are.
Jennifer Michaud
June 19, 2023
Aunt Liesel has always been the most fundamental person in my life. I loved so many things about her. She was so kind, had a special heart for us children and was so exciting to listen to as she had great stories to tell. As a child I adored her house and how cute she would make it with such special care and detail and I still adored her house as an adult so I took these qualities and carried them into my adulthood and tried to do some of the same things with my house because it reminds me of the special feelings I would have when I went to Aunt Liesel's house. There was always this special feeling when I would go to her house and I never wanted to leave when it was time to go home. Aunt Liesel would pull down her special German tin above the refrigerator full of homemade German cookies which took massive hours to make, and let us kids have some with the only pop she ever had, 7up. I still laugh about eating German cookies with 7up. She got great joy out of seeing our faces light up every time she pulled that tin down. I now have a special German tin on my countertop, but unfortunately it is not filled with German cookies, too many hours to make them and so little time, so mine is filled with the essentials, napkins, definitely not as is exciting, but still filled with memories of what used to be in there. HA!!! Lastly, the thing I admired the most about Aunt Liesel is that she always projected this sense of everything is going to be okay no matter what attitude. This sense of calmness even in tough situations and a matter of fact attitude about why stress about it, you cannot do anything about it so what is the point? She also taught me a very fundamental lesson that I have never forgotten: Never look forward on how far you have to go yet: always look back at how far you have come. I learned that lesson when Aunt Liesel, Marie, Uncle Bill and I would spend countless hours in the blistering heat picking asparagus. I would cry we are never going to get this done as our energy was lacking, but not Aunt Liesel, she was a real trooper, never complaining and she even walked home afterwards. I always wanted to be just like her. I am saddened to see her go, but happy for her that her journey here on earth is over, a job well done, and now she can spend eternity with her father in heaven who made her, loves her dearly and has waited patiently for her to complete her journey here and come home so he could embrace her closely in his ever loving arms. I cannot wait to see you again soon Aunt Liesel. Love, Jen
Ingrid Gores
June 14, 2023
I first met Liesel and her family in 1962 when she was still in Germany.
I married into the Canadian part of the Gores family. Over the years we had many visits in Canada and Michigan. We always has a good time and Liesel had stories that could entertain you for hours.
The last time I saw Liesel was in Florida. She was so happy there and so proud of her place. We walked around the complex there every day.
My condolences to you 'Ilona. She will be missed.
Ingrid Gores and Thomas
Marie
June 14, 2023
Anna Vincent
June 14, 2023
I meet her a few times she was an outstanding proud woman who loved her grandson Martin and her entire family. She was proud to be German, was a wonderful cook and I remember her home was beautifully decorated and cared for. Happy to see she will be buried next to Martin she was so proud of him and grieved deeply at his early death. She was so happy when Martin's son Logan was born. My condolences to her entire family.
Marie
June 14, 2023
Here is a video of Aunt Liesel saying hi to Heidi. Just copy the following link https://youtube.com/shorts/RoJs2qyhjk8?feature=share
Carolyn
June 14, 2023
Thank you for sharing your mom with me, Ilona. I have so many wonderful memories of time spent with Liesel. I loved it when you would call and say your mom baked or was cooking and did I want to go over with you. No question! I loved sitting in the kitchen while your mom cooked, listening to her stories. She lived such a rich life. What wonderful meals I enjoyed with you and your parents. And you know my favorite was the plum cake!!
Liesel provided a blueprint for living an elegant life - keeping active, caring for her flowers, embracing a positive attitude, and cherishing memories. She is now a cherished memory and I will miss her always.
Marie
June 14, 2023
To see Aunt Liesel catching her first fish copy this youtube link https://youtu.be/egalXjMJ56o
Marie
June 14, 2023
Marie
June 14, 2023
Marie
June 14, 2023
Marie
June 14, 2023
Aunt Liesel went fishing for the 1st time in her life at 85 years old. We had a great time with her. I have a video of her catching her 1st fish if anyone is interested.
Katie Bourgoyne
June 13, 2023
Aunt Liesel was a special kind of person you rarely meet in a lifetime. I have so many fond memories from when I visited as a kid of having water fights in her garden or of just eating rum cake while she told one of her stories, of which there were many. She truly lived life to its fullest more than anyone else I know. She always had a positive attitude and was just non-stop. Constantly moving, cooking, walking, doing water aerobics, or watering flowers. I remember one time she went with us and hiked to Clingmans Dome which is the highest point in the Smokey Mountains. Aunt Liesel was in her 80´s and we were passing young people stopping to rest at a bench but not her she just kept moving until she got to the top. She will always be an inspiration to me to keep moving especially when it is hard. Love you Aunt Liesel.
Tanja
June 13, 2023
Mein aufrichtiges Beileid
Ich bin so glücklich diese wunderbare Frau letztes Jahr noch einmal treffen zu dürfen.
Den nächsten Wein trinken wir im Himmel Liesel
Marie
June 13, 2023
Marie
June 13, 2023
Marie
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Marie
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Heidi
June 13, 2023
Aunt Liesel....I don´t even have the words to describe how much I love that lady. She has always been a part of my life. It will never be the same with her. I was blessed to live right next door to her as a child and then to be able to spend so much time with her while living in Florida. I always looked forward to our late night chats while munching on her rum cake, and her amazing stories of growing up in Germany. Now, living here, in Germany - I have so many reminders of her. She loved having company, going to Sam's Club to just look at everything, children....she absolutely adored babies and little ones, most of all she loved her daughter, Ilona. Ilona was the best caregiver of her Mom. She always put her Mom first, ahead of everything. Thank you Ilona
You will be missed Tanta Liesel.
Ilona Nimptsch
June 13, 2023
My mom.... The past 5 years, I spent every day with her. Making sure she was taking her medicine after breakfast, then checking in with her at lunch to take a walk and back in the evening to do dinner and get ready for bed. We laughed every single day. As a holiday would approach, we would start with the decorating. Don´t get me wrong, there were times that I really wasn´t in the mood but seeing her excitement of putting up that Christmas tree or her Easter tree would always fill my heart with so much joy, all I would think is this might be that last holiday. I would think, take a breath and enjoy this moment. And I always did.
It was just her and I for such a long time. I remember in the last few months when I would get to her place at lunch, she would ask me "Where have you been?" I would look at her, holding a bag of groceries for her, laughing with my reply, "Paris, mom. I´ve been in Paris!" She would just start laughing at me and say, "I know you weren´t in Paris!"
I miss you mom.... My days are very long now that you gone.... But I am so very happy that you are in Heaven with the angels and your brothers, sister, son, grandson and Dad. No more long lonely days for you. I am sure your eyes are seeing everything and your ears are hearing the slightest whisper of the wind. (No more glasses or hearing aids)
I may not be able to spend everyday with you anymore but I will always have all those great memories and your love in my heart! The dishes are done, the laundry is ironed and the flowers are watered. Your work is complete. You now rest in peace.
You are the best mother a daughter could ever hope for. I love you mom... we will laugh again when we meet in heaven! But here today and everyday, I miss you so much...
BobbieJo (Goeres) Doumert
June 12, 2023
Madison Mollico
June 12, 2023
I knew my Aunt Liesel when I was a child, and when I think of her, I always remember that happy time. I looked forward to going to her house to look at all her treasures and knick knacks, lay on her plush alpaca rug, and eat her sweets. Liesel had a special way of speaking to us kids like we were great friends and co-conspirators in our mischief. I admired her appreciation for beautiful gardens and keeping a beautiful home. Her spaces always had a special atmosphere that made me feel like a gnome or a fairy could come walking out of the flowerbeds. Liesel was exceedingly generous, and I remember always parting from her with a new doll or necklace, something that she would ask me to remember her by. I am saddened that I did not get to know her in my adult life, but I treasure the wistful memories of her and the magic that she brought to life during my childhood.
Marie Bourgoyne
June 12, 2023
Ilona, if you ever need anything, know that I will always be there for you. Thank you for sharing your mom with me. I meant a lot to me, especially since my mom died when I was very young. I have so many great memories of your mother. I remember when my sister Jen and I picked asparagus with her. She would always outpick us. We tried so hard to keep up with her. We just wanted to be near her. She told us that she was saving her money in order to buy a plane ticket to see her grandchildren in Texas every year. She once laughingly told us that she hid her money from your dad and no matter how hard he tried, he could never find it because she hid it in places that she figured that he would never touch like the family Bible, inside the vacuum, and in his old military uniform! It still makes me smile. Funny...She always told me to be careful driving. She was constantly saying, "We need you! We need you!". I feel like saying the same thing to her. I am going to miss her so much. Love you.
Marie Bourgoyne
June 12, 2023
Marie Bourgoyne
June 12, 2023
Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
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Marie Bourgoyne
June 12, 2023
Ilona,
If you need anything you know that I will always be here for you. Thank you for sharing your mom with me, since I lost my own at such a young age. It meant a lot to me. Your mom lived such a well-lived long life. We should all be so lucky.
I have so many great memories of Aunt Liesel. For example, my sister Jen and I picked asparagus with her when we were in our teens. She outpicked us every time. We tried so hard to keep up with her. She told us that she saved her asparagus money in order to buy a plane ticket to Texas to visit with her grandchildren every year. She would hide the money from your dad. It was quite comical because he would try so hard to find it and never could. She laughed and told us that she always hides it where she thought that he would never look, like the family bible, inside the vacuum cleaner, and his old military uniform. She was full of so many great life stories that we just wanted to be around her. I loved her so much and will miss her terribly.
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