Else’s Obituary Else Siu was an amazing woman who for only being 5’2” was the towering central force of her family. Known to all who loved her as “Omi”, she was a great influence on her children and grandchildren. Omi was born in Ottensoos, Germany on April 23, 1933.
Although her childhood was marred by the events of World War II, she fondly remembered her youth and time in Nuremberg, especially during Christmas. After the war, she worked in Munich before settling in Kaiserslautern, where she met her husband Tom Siu. The two were married in 1963 in Hong Kong.
They traveled extensively throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia. She also traveled to many countries in Europe with her two young children at the time Lilly and Thomas, and her friend Christa. Even in her 80’s she remembered all the details of trips to Paris, Vienna, Switzerland, Taiwan and more.
She, Tom and their growing family moved to Los Angeles in 1969, eventually settling in San Diego in 1977. She worked at The Broadway, North County Fair, Escondido. Omi was a beloved mother and homemaker who loved watching the Food Channel and trying new recipes for her children and grandchildren.
She loved to cook and bake in her later years and there was always something tasty waiting on the kitchen counter. The favorite part of the day for Omi was sharing coffee and cake with her closest German friends and her family. “Kaffee & Kuchen” was widely known as a staple if you were lucky enough to be at her house on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Omi also loved her flowers and the garden in her yard. Her backyard was known as “the nursery” because she could bring any plant back to life. Her daughter Nancy and son-in-law Steve spent many afternoons making it into something special for Omi.
Additionally, she enjoyed attending the local German Lutheran Church, Deutsche Evangelische Gemeinde of San Diego (DEGSD). She was preceded in death by her son Thomas (age 7) in 1970 and husband Tom in 1987. She is survived by her children Lilly (Wolfgang) Rudel, Michael Siu (Bryan Winke), Nancy (Steve) Elmore and Alice Siu; grandsons Peter Rudel, Steffen Rudel, Collin Elmore, Brenden Elmore and Spencer Elmore; sisters Anni Wieninger, Margaret Lindsay and Irmgard Patrick; brothers Fritz Baer and Hermann Baer; and many nieces and nephews.
Omi passed away peacefully surrounded by her daughters on February 16, 2019 in San Diego, California. Interment and a Celebration of Life will be planned for the Spring. Donations may be made to: Else Siu Memorial, DEGSD.
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