Helga Gisela Steinle

Helga was born in Braunsberg, Germany the fourth of five children, Klaus, Helmut, Eckbert, Helga and Ute. She grew up in post-war Germany. At the age of five years old, Helga, along with her mother and siblings, left their home to make the 575 mile trip on foot toward the safety of what was to become West Germany.

Despite the trauma of growing up in the middle of WWII, Helga, treasured her childhood memories with her brothers and sister. She would say that the times were much simpler and the children had to work together for the family to survive, but that it was a special time as well. In fact she would do with less food to be with her family. In 1948 Helga was sent to Switzerland by the Red Cross as a result of being malnourished. She was so homesick that she was unable to eat and was soon sent back home to her family.

Helga left her home in Freiburg, Germany at 18 years old and boarded a train to see the world. She travelled to many countries as a hostess, nanny, and waitress. She learned to speak, French, Spanish, and English well. Helga loved to share her early adventures around the world.

She met Dieter Steinle (deceased) at a restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts where she was waitressing. The manager asked her to talk with Dieter, a fellow German, who was struggling with a recent break-up. The pair were soon an item and married a few months later.

Helga and Dieter bought a small restaurant in Upstate New York and began their first German restaurant, Hotel Ohio in 1972. Dieter ran the kitchen and Helga became the bartender and manager while raising two toddlers; Heidi and Heike. Her son Wilhelm Steinle joined his sister two years later. Helga loved to share the memory when she was first learning to bartend and was still somewhat shy. Some of the customers were joking with Helga about her shyness. Dieter came out of the kitchen and told them; “Leave her Alone, I like her just as she is.”

Helga lost her shyness quickly and became a force to be reckoned with. She could be a fierce person, determined to make her own way in this world. Helga could also be very generous and caring and had a deep love of nature, animals, and children.

Helga ran two successful restaurants and a motel while raising three children.

She enjoyed meeting new people and travelling. Helga also loved music and sang in several Choirs.

Helga had a love for life that rarely allowed her to rest and relax into life’s precious moments. She tended to Push through and try to make life into what she wanted it to be.

She is now at Peace. We wish her much deserved Rest and Peace as we look for a way to go on without her strong and courageous spirit.

Helga leaves wonderful memories with her three children; Heidi, Heike, and Wilhelm Steinle, her daughter-in-law Jennifer Steinle, and her grandchildren; Isabella, Ava, and Dieter Marrazzo and Christian and Noah Steinle.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycockfuneralhome.net for the Steinle family.