Kaethe Marie Weaver

Katie was born Käthe Marie Meng on September 14, 1944, in Aussig, Czechoslovakia, to parents Johann and Elisabeth Meng. The Meng family originated in Baden-Württemberg Germany, but for several generations they had been “Volkdeutsch”- ethnic Germans living in Yugoslavia (Bosnia). When Hitler successfully invaded part of Poland, the entire family (along with all Volkdeutsch) was forced to flee their home in Bosnia. Katie, the youngest of 7 children, spent her developing years as a refugee and displaced person in many camps in several countries, fleeing however they could the Russian and Nazi armies. After finally finding refuge in the American territory of Austria, they started their trek to return to their ancestral town of Oberndorf am Neckar, Germany, in 1948.

After trying for several years, Katie’s father finally got visas approved for the family to come to the United States under the Refugees Relief Act. Alongside her parents, one brother and one sister, she left Bremerhaven, Germany, on November 14, 1955, on the USS General Langfitt and arrived at the Port of New York, on November 22, 1955.

Regarding their arrival, she says: “I remember misty clouds hanging low over the water as maybe a dozen or more boats circled the Statue of Liberty when I first saw her. On the deck of our ship, people of various ages and nationalities ran to the right side and looked intently at the Statue as if she was a religious artifact. She was a beautiful sight.”

The Meng family (joined by brother Hans a year later) settled with the extended family who sponsored their journey, in Denver, Colorado. Katie, aged eleven and knowing no English, enrolled in school and a few years after graduating, became a U.S. citizen in the District of Colorado at Denver on June 2, 1964.

Katie later moved to Dallas so she could start her career as a flight attendant for American Airlines. It was on one of those flights, that an elderly woman said she would like to invite her to dinner, so she could introduce her to her tenant, a young handsome student at Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

That night, in that little duplex on Luther Lane, Katie met the love of her life, William Weaver. Katie and Bill wasted no time and were married several months later on July 20,1968, in Denver, Colorado.

Their relationship was so true, so special, that even in their 53rd year of marriage, they were still writing love letters and poems to each other. Bill had planted a rose garden in the back, that only he tended to, so weekly he could cut the freshest rose with the most bountiful bloom and bring it to her.

Katie’s favorite activity was baking. It was a skill that she learned from her mother. She first turned it into an art and then into a legacy. She showed her love for others by giving presents of cookies, breads and soups. She formed everlasting memories for her grandchildren, spending time with them every month teaching them how to bake. Being in the kitchen with Oma is a memory that they will hold most dear.

Along with baking and cooking, Katie transformed a hobby of jewelry making into a side business in which she spent so much of her time not only designing unique pieces, but making them by hand as well. Her necklaces were so exquisite in the combination of stones and colors. She was really an artist in this field. Her secret to finding unusual color combinations was by looking through a kaleidoscope.

Katie was active her whole life in philanthropy and involved in many charitable foundations. But what made her special is that to her, philanthropy was a hands-on passion. She enjoyed doing service projects for others. Her children grew up witnessing the importance of doing things for people who cannot do anything for you. Painting stranger’s houses, having garage sales to raise money for someone’s dental care… she put love into action. She taught young people cooking, sewing, organization techniques, all on her own time. In doing so, she always tried to weave in a Bible lesson. She wanted to make sure they understood the Gospel, but she knew it also had to be shown, not just told. Katie knew clearly who she was in Jesus Christ. Throughout her life she wanted to share that faith with everyone she met.

People were very important to her. She enjoyed forming lasting relationships with so many different individuals. Some would say Katie is quiet, but that was not the case. She was listening to hear how she might get to know a person better. She had numerous close friends in which she enjoyed meaningful conversations with about faith, family and how to make the world a better place.

Katie was an avid reader. Looking at her bookshelves you might think these books belonged to a history or theology professor. She actually studied these books, not merely read them. Roughly twelve years ago, she started writing an autobiography about her family’s experience being displaced persons during and after WWII. It was her wish, before she passed, that the book is finished on her behalf, because she said that it is so important that this history never be forgotten.

Katie is survived by her loving and devoted husband William R. Weaver; daughter Kellie Estrada (Wilfredo); son Blake Weaver (Karen); four grandchildren: Ryan, Will, Brynn and Ellie; sisters Johanna “Hanni” Gross; Margarete “Gretel” Laur; Anneliese “Anne” Sá; sisters-in-law Helga Meng, Lana Weaver; eleven nieces and eight nephews.

Katie was preceded in death by her infant daughter; parents Johann “John” and Elisabeth Meng; parents-in-law Dody & Galbraith McFadden Weaver; brothers Hans “John” Meng and Hermann (Maria) Meng; sisters Elisabeth Meng and Magdelena “Leni” Leichtmann; brothers-in-law Toni Gross, Bartel Leichtmann, Fritz Laur, Humberto Sá, Galbraith McFadden Weaver Jr; one niece and two nephews.

Katie….. Wife, Mom, Oma, Tante, Sister, Friend… she was incredibly important to all of us. There will never be another like her, she touched the lives of so many, in ways that are uniquely special and will never be forgotten