Maria Graf Niebuhr

Maria “Mitzi” G. Niebuhr

Nov. 17 1921 — Feb. 21, 2017

Maria “Mitzi” G. Niebuhr passed away at her home in Albany with her daughters close by. 

Maria was born in Olbendorf, Austria, to Gottfried Graf and Anna (Tury) Graf. As a young woman, she worked at a hotel restaurant in Maria-Enzersdorf, Austria, outside of Vienna. The hotel was across the road from Liechtenstein Castle. Both the hotel and castle were occupied by the Germans during World War II, until liberated by the Allied Russian forces. Maria, always feisty and pragmatic, bore these burdens until the end of the occupation when she could again renew her efforts to immigrate to the United States.

In the early 1950s she finally made it to America and lived with an aunt who had previously immigrated. Maria settled in Klamath Falls for a bit before moving to Portland where it was hoped better opportunities existed. She got a job with the Johnson Knitting Company and lived with a couple, Annie and Matthew Petersen, who originally hailed from Germany. These people became surrogate parents to Maria and later as grandparents to her daughters.

In 1956, Maria met and married Philip E. Niebuhr. Phil was employed at the Bureau of Mines in Albany, so they settled there. Both Maria and Phil were very active in St. Mary’s Parish. Maria kept busy in the Catholic Daughters and various other volunteer activities. They had two daughters, Monika Niebuhr-Sims (Al) and Lisa Niebuhr-Meehan (Glenn) who survive. Two grandsons, Ryan and Corey Meehan, plus six nieces and six nephews are remembering her with affection and respect for her resolve and fortitude.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

A viewing is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 2, with a recitation of the rosary immediately following at 4 p.m. at AAsum-DuFour Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 3, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A reception will immediately follow and a graveside service will be at 2 p.m. at Twin Oaks Cemetery.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements (aasum-dufour.com).