Elizabeth Pieper

Elizabeth Haeussner Goeller Pieper died July 22, 2020 in Taylorsville Utah of causes incident to age. She was born February 24, 1928 in Burgbernheim, Germany to Michael Haeussner and Babette Hautum. She was the oldest of four children – two brothers – Gerhard and Hans Walter and one sister - Gertrud. She married Philipp Goeller December 26, 1946 in Offenbach Germany. They had two children, Margot and Klaus. Philipp died in 1950, leaving Elizabeth a widow in post war Germany with two children to raise. Work was hard to find. She supplemented her income by knitting sweaters and other clothing for a local shop, sometimes having to work through the night to meet deadlines. Hoping to improve her situation, she made the decision to emigrate to America and start a new life, learn a new language and new customs. Several of her late husband’s family had moved to Utah and Idaho and encouraged her to join them.

The little family traveled by boat from Hamburg, Germany to New York City and by bus to Salt Lake City. Elizabeth found work at the LDS Hospital cleaning floors, gradually learning English. She also cleaned houses on her day off. Invited by her sister-in law and husband to attend a church dance, she met Emil Pieper. They dated for a time then married August 15, 1957. They had one son, Robert, born in 1960. Elizabeth and Emil loved to travel and looked forward to many summer vacations in their truck and camper. Emil died in June 1989 Elizabeth worked at Hiller Book Bindery, a job she enjoyed for many years. Always skilled in hand work, she became expert at repairing and restoring old and damaged books. She was a perfectionist in everything she did. Elizabeth kept and enjoyed her German traditions and heritage. She was famous for her Christmas cookies in many varieties. She was an excellent cook, a talented seamstress, completed many beautiful needlework projects and loved to knit. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved to read the Church News and Ensign Magazine. She enjoyed gardening, the hymns, German music and watching travel shows. She never forgot a grandchild’s birthday, always sending a hand-written card.

The family was able to say 'Auf Wiedersehen' on Tuesday prior to her peaceful passing on Wednesday, July 22. Elizabeth’s posterity owes her a great debt of gratitude for having the courage to cross the ocean with two small children to start a new life in America. The family expresses appreciation for the tender care she was given at Legacy House in Taylorsville for the final year of her life.