To Celebrate a Life of Love: Maria Rowland

November 19, 1924-November 29, 2022

Maria “Mitzi” Rowland, age 98, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. Mitzi was born in Burghausen, Germany on November 19, 1924 to Rosina Schröger and Ludwig Mannheimer. Her father was Jewish, leaving her to be raised by her German grandparents. She was given her grandfather’s surname which protected her until near the end of WWII. During the war, she was employed as a stenographer in a hotel that was adjacent to Hitler’s Eagles Nest. She inevitably had to go into hiding when her Jewish lineage was discovered by members of the German Secret Service. Surviving in hiding, she met and eventually married an American soldier, Roy A. Rowland, while he was liberating Germany. They came to America in 1947 where they raised their three children. After spending several years living around the world with the military, Roy and Mitzi settled in San Antonio, Texas.

Mitzi was always known as Oma to her eight grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. She loved each one of them unconditionally. At all times, she knew everything going on in each one of their lives. They confided in her, and she never passed judgment. She was their rock. Even though it was hard to talk to her for a second without her bragging about one of them, she was able to keep their deepest secrets.

Within the past few years, she discovered for the first time that her Jewish father survived the Holocaust. Although she never met her father, she was able to meet her half-brother for the first time in 2022 when she was 97 years old.

She was known for her passionate love of the Alps, Bavaria, Edelweiss, hot coffee, red lipstick, knitting, painting, gardening, Geraniums, but most of all, visiting. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Roy A. Rowland. She is survived by her half-brother, Renato Manheimmer, her three children Peter (Norma) Rowland, Algie “Shawn” (Jo) Rowland, Diana (Douglas) Krauskopf, her eight grandchildren, Barbara (Brian) Haymon, Sherry (Carlos) Barrera, Kristi (Barclay) Anthony, Steven (Dawn) Krauskopf, Teya (Martin) Miller, Mitzi Rowland, Hans (Jessica) Rowland, Brooke Robledo, eighteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

SERVICES

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH

4201 DE ZAVALA RD.

ROSARY – 12:30 PM

MEMORIAL MASS – 1:00 PM

RECEPTION IN HENKE HALL AFTER MASS

A private interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.