Obituary: Adelheid “Heidi” Greuer

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

Adelheid Sigrid Else Helene was born on May 29th, 1934, the beloved eldest daughter of German Navy Captain Otto Teichmann and Lilli Teichmann (nee Weiss). Three brothers followed: Fiete (1936), Harro (1938), and Heino (1952).  

 She grew up during World War II in Germany. There she experienced her father being deployed for long periods of time to Norway and Russia. She also experienced being bombed by Allied forces, narrowly missed an English sharpshooter, and remembered the thousands of refugees who flooded her hometown as well as the starvation following World War II. She even remembered having tea with an English military man in her grandmother’s house, which was occupied by a group of English military doctors.

 As Germany was slowly being rebuilt, Adelheid completed grade school and went on to complete her high school education at the Auguste Viktoria Gymnasium of Flensburg in 1958. She then went on to work for a year in Scotland as an au pair. Later, she attended the University of Heidelberg, where she got a degree as a technical translator specializing in English, French, and Spanish. There she formed many lifelong friendships, which she held very dear. From there, she moved to Essen, where she worked for about seven years for Krupp Manufacturing. There she met her neighbor, Dr. Rudolf Greuer, who later became her husband. He always claimed that she lived above him, and he went up to see why she was making such a racket and had not been able to get a word in since. They were married for 52 years, having been married in Flensburg in 1965.

 They wanted to go on an exchange to America for one year (Rudy already knew it would be two) at MTU in 1967, but they ended up staying permanently. Heidi let everyone know that she never wanted to move to this northern outpost town, but she grew to love it after a time. They initially had an apartment on Portage Street rented by Hank Schwenk, but they moved to their present house on East Street in 1971. The ambulance stopped at her East Street home on Dec. 6, 2023, when she was supposed to return from U.P. Health Marquette; however, it was decided that it was best to take her to U.P. Health in Hancock where she later died.

  On January 17th, 1972, her daughter Friederike was born, and her son Wilhelm soon followed on August 15th, 1973. The subsequent years were filled with raising her children, hosting dinner parties for Rudy’s work, children’s activities, weaving, cross stitching, taking family trips, spending time at the family cabin, antique shopping, luncheoning with friends and baking for afternoon tea. She provided a home for many of the neighborhood children. 

 She was involved with PEO, Friends of Fashion, WAIMMES, the Calumet Theatre, and Little Brothers. She also welcomed any German national into the house and gave them a place to feel at home. Heidi had a magnetic personality, which made people feel safe and loved in her presence. She was very cherished throughout the community. 

 She welcomed her granddaughter, Lilli, into the world on June 5, 2007. Being a grandmother was one of her greatest joys. She also helped her son complete his Ph.D. through encouragement and providing financial support. She took good care of her husband, Rudy, until he passed on January 18, 2015.  

 She was primarily taken care of in her last years of life by her daughter, Friederike, and Sydney Streiter from At Home Companions, as well as dear friend Lindsay Salo and other friends. She received physical therapy from Dr. Anne Cooke, and lymphatic drainage from dear friend Stepanie Rowe. She was forever grateful to her doctor, Dr. Conway McLean, and his wife, Jo McLean, and staff for her treatment of her chronic diabetic wounds.

 The last five years of Heidi’s life were faced with many health challenges, and she subsequently died of various comorbidities on Dec. 7, 2023, a fitting famous date in World War II history.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dr. Rudolf Greuer, her brother Captain Fiete Teichmann, and a number of dear friends and pets.

She is survived by her daughter Friederike Gast, granddaughter Lilli Gast, Lilli’s father Dennis Gast, her son, Dr. Wilhelm Greuer, and his significant other, Trina Larson. She is also survived by her good friend Billy Cron, his wife Beth, and their son Sam.

In Germany, she is survived by brothers Dr. Harro Teichmann, his wife Ortrud, Dr. Heinrich Otto Teichmann and his wife, Juliane Teichmann. She is also survived by other German family members, including sister-in-law Rita Teichmann, brother-in-law Dr. Johannes Greuer and wife, Lilo. This also includes beloved nieces Gudrun Teichmann (Daniel Buschmann) and Wiebke Teichmann, nephew Dr. Christoph Schimmelpfennig and wife Gul, and their son Max, as well as first cousin Dr. Ingrid Schimmelpfennig. There are also additional nieces and nephews. Most importantly, there are countless adored friends left behind. Let us not forget her beloved chihuahua Arthur or her mastiff Max either.  

The family would like to thank the community for their support and sympathy. Thank you to the staff at UP Health in Hancock for making Heidi’s remaining time comfortable (thank you especially to Nurse Erick). Heidi is at peace now and no longer suffering.

There will (tentatively) be a celebration of life on May 29th, 2024, at the Bonfire. Further plans will be announced. This would have been her 90th birthday.  

An account for donations has been set up at the Breakwater Federal Credit Union. Just mention the name Heidi when making a donation and have the clerk make a note of your name. Donations will be divided amongst: Little Brothers, PEO scholarships, Friends of Fashion, and the Copper Country Humane Society. Thank you again for everything. The Kriegskinder can now rest in peace.

To view Heidi’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel has been assisting the family with the arrangements.