Stephanie(Holzmann)Walters, of Old Saybrook, CT, passed away Friday evening, March 20, 2015 at The Weiss Hospice Unit, Middlesex Hospital at the age of 103. Steffie was born on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th, 1911 to Karl and Franciska(Zieger)Holzmann, the 2nd of 5 children in the small village of Mini-Hof-Liebau, Burgenland, Austria. It was here that Steffie began her passion for great food and cooking helping out in the kitchen in her parents prosperous Gasthaus at a very young age. Steffie’s adventurous spirit brought her to America prior to WWII. The only member of her immediate family to do so. Settling first in Wichita, Kansas with a close aunt and uncle, she found the climate and landscape not to her liking and went on to settle in New Britain, CT where there was a large population from her native Burgenland. Soon after arriving she met the love of her life and true soul mate Edward Walters, and they married in 1938. Steffie and her husband shared a work ethic like no other and soon purchased a store front on Dwight St. turning it into The East Side Restaurant. Starting as a two man operation with Steffie doing the waitressing and all the cooking and Eddie tending bar and maintenance it soon grew and became the mecca in Connecticut for excellent German food. In 1956, the couple decided to try something new and moved to Old Saybrook and opened “Steffie and Eddie’s Dock and Dine Restaurant”, a seasonal restaurant that was to become a shoreline landmark for locals, summer residents, and visitors alike. They owned and operated this exceptional establishment with Steffie in the kitchen every day until it was sold in 1969 with the passing of her husband. Being the strong, independent spirit she was, sitting still was not in her genes. She took on the task of building a miniature golf course on the property adjacent to the restaurant. It was an idea she and her husband toyed with before his passing and became a reality in 1971. For her it was a hands on operation and each day was spent alongside her teenage employees greeting customers, tending the flower beds she prided herself on, and even sweeping the greens. Her generous nature showed through here as she gave away many free passes daily to youngsters who wanted to play but didn’t have enough money. In 1989 Steffie decided that at 79 it was time to put work behind and have some fun. The property was sold to the town of Old Saybrook for all its residents to enjoy this unique setting at the mouth of the Connecticut River. Steffie loved her hometown of Old Saybrook for 59 years and never once uttered a word to demean it. She was always there with a donation that would benefit the community. Throughout her life she was a strong supporter of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the local police and fire departments, considering longtime Chief Mosca, a good friend. She did have one gripe though that she acted upon, the overgrown state of some of the road divides. She took it upon herself to “adopt” the one at the corner of Maple Ave. and College St. Weeds were dug out, tag sale signs removed and the area planted with small scrubs and flowers. Steffie maintained this are for years, and it started a trend with civic groups began to follow. There is no doubt that Steffie led a wonderful, busy life. But, she never lost sight of the importance of family. She was mother, grandma, grandma Steffie, Aunt Steffie, and just Steffie to hundreds maybe thousands of admirers. This amazing women is survived by her two daughters Marlene Dolan and Karen Schwarz. Grandchildren Catherine and Mark Dolan, Peter and Matthew Schwarz. Great Grandchildren Alison and Paul Dolan, Lucy Blowfield, Daniel Schwarz and Tessa Schwarz. Brother Willi Holzmann of Graz, Austria. Many nieces and nephews and family members both in The United States and Austria. Steffie is predeased by her husband Edward R. Walters in 1969, sister Emmy Brunner, brothers Katchi and Erwin Holzmann, sons in law Bernard M.Schwarz and Paul V. Dolan. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 26 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Great Hammock Rd. Old Saybrook @ 11:00 am. A private burial will be held in New Britain, CT at a later date. A special thank you to Dana Berciunuite, Steffie’s amazing companion, caregiver and friend for 5 years giving her the quality of life she deserved. Also, the compassionate staff of the Weiss Hospice Unit. In lieu of flowers the family requests that a contribution can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Old Saybrook, CT or the Weiss Hospice Unit, Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, CT.
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