Luise M. Ontiveros of Flagstaff, AZ passed away peacefully on April 6, 2018. She was born in Krummau, Czechoslovakia on February 26, 1933, as Luise Maria Wuschko. She was the youngest of 3 children born to Martin and Aloisa (Panny) Wuschko.
She lived in Krummau until 1944, and then escaped to Hof, Germany during World War II, with her mother. Her father, who was fluent in 7 languages, was an interpreter, and was captured and taken to a concentration camp during the war. He was a prisoner for 9 years.
Her brothers, at 14 and 16 years old, were forced to go to war as well, 1 becoming a pilot, and 1 working in the tank corp. For years, she believed she had lost her Father and brothers to war. Thankfully, they all 3 survived, and were reunited at war’s end.
After high school, Luise moved to England to serve as a Nanny. Her desire was to learn to speak “The Queen’s English” to help her further her employment opportunities. She did this for 2 years, and then returned to Hof.
It was there that she met her love, Vicente (Vince) Ontiveros, who was in the United States Air Force, stationed on the Germany/Czechoslovakia border. They were married on May 15, 1954. Once Vince completed his tour, they returned to Clarkdale, AZ and then moved to Flagstaff, AZ in 1956, where Vince was employed at the Navajo Army Depot.
Luise became involved in her children’s education, volunteering, and working in the Catholic Church on various committees. She was a master seamstress, working for Pants Gallery, and sewing for many people over the years. Other than her children, her proudest achievement was becoming an American, and being able to vote.
She worked for many years campaigning for various local and state constituents, and was inducted into the Arizona Democratic Hall of Fame in 2005. After Vince retired, they traveled throughout Europe and the United States, and spent many hours at the “Ranch” in Cornville, AZ. Luise greatest joys were her 2 sons, and her grandson.
Education was of utmost importance to her, and she was instrumental in strongly encouraging her sons in their educational endeavors. Luise was preceded in death by Vince, her husband of 54 years, her parents Martin and Aloisa, and her brothers Franzl and Herbert. Luise is survived by her two sons, Vicente (Carla) of Phoenix and Savino (Kathy) Flagstaff/Cottonwood, and her grandson, Vicente Carlos.
She leaves behind her brother-in-law, Herculano Ontiveros (Mary) and sister-in-law Frances Ontiveros, and many nieces and nephews in Germany, Cottonwood, Phoenix, and California. Luise was so grateful for the life she lived after a difficult childhood, and loved her family, her home, and her friends deeply. A funeral mass is scheduled for 9:30 (Rosary) Mass 10:30, on Friday, April 20, 2018 at San Francisco de Asis Church, 1600 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.
She will be interred next to her husband at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Luise’s memory may be made to Hospice of the Pines, 13175 E. St Rt. 169, Dewey, AZ 86327, or a charity of your choice.
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