Maria R. Batzlaff

After more than 93 years, Maria Rosa (Kuffner) Batzlaff concluded what she came here to do. Her daily priorities and objectives never wavered during a life tenaciously lived:

• Be an unquestioning supporter;
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• Act as a selfless family member; and
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• Serve as a tireless caretaker.
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Maria, Mitzi, Momma, Grammie endured the loss of her father in early childhood, the devastation of growing up in Czechoslovakia at the dawn of World War II, caring daily for a terminally-ill spouse at too-young an age, and adapting to a world changing faster than many could comprehend. These things only made her stronger.

She will forever be remembered as a much-loved member of the Haikl, Kuffner, Batzlaff, and Tapling families.

In addition to the birds and dogs whom she cherished with every fiber of her being, she benefited numerous souls who will miss her without hope of consolation including: Xander, Catherine, Hunter, Gita, Peter, and Anna.

Maria has a far better party to now attend, hosted by those who have been waiting for her for a very long time: Franz (Sr and Jr), Rosa, Tante Maria, Onkel Hans, and Walter.

But we know she will first want to give kisses to Scruffy, Arno, Candy I, Susie, Candy II, Bailey, Rosie, Talisker, Kaiya, and Zuzu.

She will join Walter in a funeral service to be held at Arlington National Cemetery.

If you loved her, or you knew her, you know she preferred her flowers alive and planted for the benefit and enjoyment of others. So, in lieu of flowers, please consider planting a flower in her memory or making a gift to Paws of Chicago (www. PawsChicago.org).