Wilfriede Emma Menter

Wilfriede Emma Menter, 80, a resident of Keene, New Hampshire and former resident of Swanzey, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire on Monday, May 12, 2014, following a period of declining health.

She was born October 18, 1933 in Germany, the daughter of Friedrich and Emma (Diehl) Mezger. She spent her childhood and early part of her twenties in Germany, working as both a housekeeper and factory worker during World War II. She came to the United States in 1959, after marrying a young man in the US Military. She continued her work in housekeeping after coming to the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire.

Mrs. Menter has kept the culture of her home-land alive by telling the stories of her youth to her family and in bringing the traditions of her ancestry into their home. She enjoyed cooking dishes that were special to her family in Germany: “Apfel Kuchen”, an apple filled pie shell, “Pflaumen”, a dessert made with plums and “Sauerbraten”, a beef dish cooked in vinegar and served over homemade pasta, were some of her family’s favorites. She loved to be around people, whether she was going out for coffee with friends or spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she loved to make people smile and enjoying the unforgettable moments of life. Wilfriede was also very devoted to her faith, as a Jehovah’s Witness, she felt it an honor to spread the teachings of the Bible. Perhaps her ability to take simple pieces of nature: ferns, berries, and grasses: and turning them into works of art, comes from the same deep place in her heart which gave her the courage to come to the USA from Germany, and a life full of uncertainty to a life of promise.

She is survived by four daughters: Irene Peeples and her husband Rodney of Port St. Lucie, FL., Sonya Whitney and her husband Stephen of Swanzey, NH., Roseanne Corfield and her husband Jason of Hudson, NH., and Susan Blair and her husband Shawn of Richmond, NH., two sons: Anson Battershell and his wife Marcia of Placerville, CA and Randy Gottier and his wife Riki of Tillamook, OR., thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her sister: Lore Koger and her brother: Erich Mezger.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Kingdom Hall, 109 Old Homestead Hwy, Swanzey, NH on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 3:00pm. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Worldwide Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses c/o West Swanzey Congregation, 109 Old Homestead Hwy, Swanzey, NH. 03446 or to the Wilfriede E. Menter Memorial Fund c/o Susan Blair, at any branch of TD Bank,.