Maria (Wohn) Appelhans

Maria Appelhans, 94, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Good Samaritan Village in Fort Collins, Colorado.

All who truly knew Maria came to realize that hers was a full and truly amazing life. She had resided in seven different countries and lived under five different governments, ranging from Soviet Communism to American democracy.

Maria Teresa Wohn was born on January 8, 1930, in the Volga German village of Rothammel, Russia. She survived famine, disease, and extreme poverty in the former USSR. During a time of intense religious persecution in the 1930s, Maria’s family hid the parish priest under the floorboards of their home. By doing so, they risked their lives. Because of such hardships, Maria and her parents and siblings moved often. In 1941, they fled Stalin’s Russia and lived in war-torn Germany during WWII.

After the war ended, Maria married Alexander Appelhans in Lohfelden, Germany, on July 30, 1949. They then immigrated to the U.S. in 1951, settling in Denver, Colorado, where they labored tirelessly to achieve “The Great American Dream.”

Altogether, Maria and her husband had three children, nine grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Maria was so proud of all of them and loved them deeply. She was especially pleased that their lives were far better than hers had been in Soviet Russia.

A gifted cook, storyteller, and folksinger, Maria Appelhans performed before large audiences, and she appeared in two award-winning television documentaries. In addition, Maria won First Place in the 2004 AHSGR Storytelling Contest for her story, “Back Home on the Volga, 1937.” As recently as 2022, she published another story entitled “How a Ukrainian Family Saved My Life.” Maria loved to tell stories and to share them with her family and friends. And who will ever forget her delicious “Grebbel” (crullers), Applesauce “Blinna” (pancakes), and “Upside-Down Cherry Cheesecake”?

Maria’s husband Alex passed away in 1995, following a severe stroke. She is survived by her three children: Norbert (Ada) of Lakewood, CO; Rosalinda Kloberdanz (Tim) of Fargo, ND; and Alex, Jr. (Lorraine) of Thornton, CO. Maria is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and numerous relatives and friends.

Before her death, Maria was thrilled to receive a “Recipe for Happiness” that was quite unlike any of her cooking recipes. It was in the form of a poem: “Happy is she who by love’s sweet song, is cheered today as she goes along. Happier is she who believes that tomorrow will ease the pain and soothe the sorrow. Happiest is she who treads on earthly sod, having faith in herself, her family, her friends, and God.”

Maria was a faithful member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish in Fort Collins. In her last months, when she could not attend Mass regularly, Maria watched the Mass on television. And she prayed the rosary daily. Throughout her life, Maria firmly believed that “An Gottes Segen ist alles gelegen” (Everything depends on God’s blessing).

Mass of Christian Burial for Maria Appelhans:

Friday, June 14, 2024, 10:00 AM, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish, 5450 S. Lemay Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

Rev. Joseph Toledo, officiating

Maria will be laid to rest:

Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Friday, June 14, 2024, 1:00 PM