Our loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother passed away peacefully and suddenly, August 19, 2020 at the age of 94. Elfriede was born October 19, 1925 in Gadderbaum/Bielefeld, Germany to Karl Heinrich and Anna Milsmann Recksiek. In January, 1950 she was blessed to marry the love of her life, Rudolf Doermann in Germany. Together they immigrated to the United States in Dec 1951 and later became US citizens. They were married 62 years and enjoyed 27 years of retirement together.
Elfriede loved skiing and dancing with Rudy, socializing with friends and family and their yearly vacation to Lake Tahoe. She is survived by one son, Jeffrey R Doermann (Alayne) 7 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her sweetheart Rudolf, daughter Sigrid Dahle, her parents, brothers and their wives, and many dear friends.
Elfriede was a survivor. She was 14 years old when WWII broke out in Germany. She served as a Nanny for the Schneider family in the Black Forest during the war and was protected there from the bombs that fell in Northern Germany. She returned to her hometown before the war ended and endured life in bomb shelters. After the war, the Recksiek family immigrated to America with the aid of Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They purchased a home in Murray where they raised two children, Sigrid and Jeff. Elfriede and Rudy were hard working “doers”. She kept herself, her home and garden in immaculate condition. Elfriede worked at Shapiros for 13 years before she retired. She treasured their yearly vacations to Lake Tahoe, CA with family and friends for 40 years. She also traveled to Hawaii, Mexico and to Germany with Rudy. She and Rudy shared their lives with many dear friends, walking the mall, going to the spa, skiing into her 80’s, going to Crystal Springs, hiking in the mountains, and attending German Cultural Events. She was there when Snowbird started Oktoberfest and attended daily every year in her German Dirndl from 1972 to 2019. She loved the music, dancing and friendships she made there. She was a beautiful, strong, confident and independent woman. She faithfully remembered birthdays, giving thoughtful birthday cards that said just the right message. There was always a fun surprize inside that thrilled the recipient. She was blessed with amazing
mental and physical health until the day she passed.
We believe there was a wonderful reunion on the other side of the veil with her husband Rudy, Daughter Sigrid, her parents, brothers and their wives (Walter, Heinz (Marlene), Werner (Helga) as well as with many dear friends and relatives who passed previously.
A celebration of life will be held at Wasatch Lawns Cemetery on Saturday, August 29th. Family and friends gathering from 9am-9:45am inside Wasatch Memorial Mortuary;Graveside service 10:00am-10:45am (please follow Covid-19 guidelines – mask, social distance, and bring a folding chair if desired at the graveside)
