Margaret Maria Momberg Till, 95, died Friday, July 23, 2010 peacefully at her home in Canyon Lake, Texas.
She was born June 7, 1915 in Recklinghausen, Germany. The family later moved to Arnsberg, Oventrop Germany. She became a medical doctor and practiced in the German Army Medical Corps, becoming an accomplished and skilled field surgeon.
Near the end of World War II as Allied forces were advancing into Germany, while assisting in treatment of German wounded brought into Allied field hospitals, she met U.S. Army Field Surgeon Col. Jacob R. “Jake” Till Jr. Together they became a noted surgical team operating on both Allied and German wounded, falling in love in the process.
Following the war and upon his return to the United States they were married in 1949, continuing an enduring romance and journey across much of the world together during his distinguished military career. Following his retirement from the U.S. Air Force they settled in Canyon Lake.
She was a parishioner of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Canyon Lake; the Steuben Society of America, New Braunfels Chapter; the German-American Society of New Braunfels; the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation, New Braunfels; the “Chatty Women’s” Bridge Club of Canyon Lake Country Club, and faithful supporter of a number of civic and charitable organizations.
Here life was guided by an unfailingly devoted love for her husband, their families, and to her many friends throughout her long and full life. Her life was filled with travel, the arts, reading, golf and tennis, bridge, her many friends, and playing with and nurturing her nieces, nephews, her goddaughter Kristin Dufour Hill and namesake Gray Margaret Powell.
Throughout her life she exhibited boundless and vivacious energy, engaging wit and captivating charm. She leaves behind family and friends who cherish the times they had with her, the continuing influence she had upon their lives, and the lasting legacy of love she had for all whose lives she touched.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years Col. Jacob Relliford Till Jr., MD, a native of Tensaw, Baldwin County; her parents, Karl Anton and Antonia Momberg; brothers Karl Anton (Irmi) Momberg and Hans Momberg; sisters Antonia (Johannes) Henkenotter, Hildegard (Henrich) Poertgen and Marianna (Josef) Holtgrewe; niece Ursula Leurs; and her first husband, Dr. Bruno Weber, (killed in action on the Russian front World War II), all of Germany; her parents-in-law, Jacob Relliford Till Sr. and Georgia Davis “Johnnie” Till of Tensaw; sister-in-law, Frances Till Nelson of Houston; brothers-in-law, Henry Hampton Till of Pensacola, Fla., James Dean of Riverside, Conn., and Robert Earl Nelson of Houston; and nephew, Robert Earl “Bob” Nelson Jr. of Atlanta.
Survivors include grandniece, Ulrike (Klaus) Frimmel; great-grandnephews, Alexander and Stefan; and great-grandniece, Susanna of Arnsberg, Germany; niece, Inge (Anton) Ernesti, grandniece, Dagmar (Uwe) Schluter, and great-grandniece, Laura Schluter, of Paderhorn, Germany; sisters-in-law, Georgia Till Dean, Riverside, Conn., and Doris “Pat” Till, Pensacola, Fla.; niece, Diana Rell Dean, and grandnephew, Jacob Lathky of Greenwich, Conn.; niece, Sarah Dean of Carol Stream, Ill.; niece, Hope Dean of Anacortes, Wash.; niece, Ellen Till (Chris Lochas), and grandnieces Maggie and Anna Lochas of Pensacola, Fla., niece, Frances Nelson (Patrick) Shipp, Houston; niece-in-law, Sandra Nelson, grandnieces, Robin and Tricia, and grandnephew, Bob Nelson, Atlanta; nephew, Hampton (Linda) Till of Pensacola, Fla.; cousins, Grey (Jane) Till, Kara Till (Chris) Ganter, Kimberly Till (James) Powell and Gray Margaret Powell, all of Birmingham; a host of close personal friends.
The family acknowledges their deep appreciation for the exemplary care and devotion by the staffs of Hope Hospice and Senior Care Outreach Services of New Braunfels, and for the innumerable visits, calls, cards and letters from countless friends which so cheered and warmed her during her last few months.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 30 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 180 St Thomas Drive, Canyon Lake, Texas, with luncheon following the service at the Church for family and friends. Another memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6 at Montgomery Hill Baptist Church in Tensaw. Burial will follow at Montgomery Hill Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Canyon Lake, Texas; Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation-Senior Outreach Services, New Braunfels, Texas; Montgomery Hill Baptist Church, Tensaw or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home, New Braunfels, Texas.
