Elke Maria Mapes

Elke Maria Mapes of Azusa, California, died December 12, 2024, about a month short of her 77th birthday. She was born in Eschlkam, Germany, a small village 80 miles east of Nuremberg. Her parents were Gerhard and Felizitas. Elke spent the first nine years of her life growing up in Nuremburg among the remnants of a defeated Germany following World War II. She would often reminisce of Christmastime in Nuremberg. On Christmas eve, she remarked how spectacular it was to see a lit tree appear with presents underneath.

She moved with her parents to the U.S. when she was 9. Her father, having the equivalent of a PhD in Chemistry, was one of the scientists invited to come to the U.S. following the war and worked at an Air Force Base in Ohio. They lived nearby and Elke had to learn English without having any previous English language instruction. However, she adapted to her new country well, and her family had many friends in the German community (who had also emigrated to the area).

After graduating from Fairborn high school, she attended Ohio University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in English. She had an affinity for travel and spent her junior year studying abroad in Austria, where she made several life-long friends.

Shortly after her college graduation, she received a letter from John (Jack), her future husband. A mutual friend in the Navy suggested that Jack write to his “cute German friend”. Like a true English major, Elke was immediately taken by Jack’s grammar and beautiful writing style. After writing back and forth for a while, they met and fell in love. She moved across the country to Los Angles and where she married Jack in 1971. She began working as a receptionist for a major law-firm and, over her (nearly) 50-year stint, she worked her way up to be a paralegal in probate and litigation.

Elke also had a passion for travel and hiking and toured extensively in the US and Europe. In 2017, she finally accomplished her life-long bucket list item when she participated in an African Safari through a travel group with her mutual friends. This trip of lifetime went to Johannesburg SA, Kruger NP, SA; Hwange NP, Victoria falls Zimbabwe; Impalila Island, Namibia; and Chobe NP, Botswana.

She also had a love for theater and always kept busy with various activities (e.g., taking community classes, exercising, going on walks, attending Science of Mind church events, lunch dates with friends, etc.) She was truly an adventurer and made friends wherever she went. Her favorite place in the world was her backyard where she spent hours gardening. Every morning, she would drink her tea in her beautifully crafted patio that she had waited years for.

She is survived by her three children Julia, Chris, Geoff; and granddaughter Olivia. She is also survived by her brother Mike and preceded in death by her husband Jack. She is greatly missed by her family and many friends who love her deeply.