Obituary of Maria Kaeberlein

SILVER LAKE - Maria (Falkenstein) Kaeberlein, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by her adoring children on March 26, 2021, following a recurrence of cancer. Born September 15, 1940, in Smalowicze, Russia, a German settlement along the Volga River, Maria endured a childhood filled with tremendous hardships, including illness, poverty, and ethnic cleansing. Her family’s home and possessions were confiscated under Josef Stalin, and the family—along with all Germans in the region—were expelled, many ending up in forced labor camps in Siberia. For Maria, the deportation meant an arduous journey for her family, largely on foot, back to their ancestral homeland. Along the way, she spent a year living in a barn in Poland and several years as a war refugee on the island of Pellworm in the North Sea. Ultimately, the family settled in Bad Schussenried, a tiny, picturesque town in southern Germany that remained Maria’s home until she married the love of her life, Johannes (John) Kaeberlein, in 1960. Three years later, the couple immigrated to Akron, Ohio, where John co-founded Akron Central Engraving and Maria embarked on her true calling: motherhood. While Maria never achieved the level of education she truly desired, it was clear that in the most important role in the world—being a mother—she was the valedictorian. Maria was dedicated to her entire family and demonstrated extraordinary love, patience, and selflessness in all she did. She inspired her children to study, work hard, attend Mass, “immer zusammen halten” (always stick together), and be people of character. Her cooking, baking, and cleaning were legendary, as were her parties—and her ability to perfectly fold fitted sheets! Above all, she believed love was the most powerful force in the world, able to solve every problem, and she shared her tremendous, healing love until the very end. Maria was preceded in death by John, with whom she shared 52 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2012. Sadly, she never fully recovered from losing him. In addition to John, she also was predeceased by parents Albert and Margarethe Falkenstein; grandson Benjamin; brothers Josef (Christina) Koberlein, Johannes Falkenstein, and Josef Falkenstein; sister Magdalena (Florian) Koberlein; brother-in-law Arnold Kroell; sister-in-law Veronika Falkenstein; and in-laws Alois and Maria Kaeberlein. Her six children and their spouses, 21 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren will forever mourn her passing: Frank Kaeberlein, MD, (Debbie and children Samantha, Alexandra, and Amelia); Claudia (Bob Simone and children Bobby (Jade), Maria, Sophia, Erik, and Lukas); Andrea (Dan Collins and children Frank, Christina, Anthony, Paul, and John); Evelyn (Matt Ruth and children Nicholas, Natalie, and Chloe); Margaret (Cody Heeney and children William and Alexander); Christina (Chris Denholm and children Stella, Samuel, and Michael); and great-granddaughters Hannah and Ava Simone. Also surviving are brothers Georg (Jutta) Falkenstein and Albert (Margaret) Falkenstein; sisters Emmi Kroell and Elizabeth (Hubert) Kopp; sisters-in-law Seglinde Falkenstein, Elizabeth Falkenstein, Irma (Josef) Herber, and Angelika (Karl, deceased) Robitschko; brother-in-law Alex (Gerlinde) Kaeberlein; numerous nieces and nephews who all referred to her as their favorite aunt; and longtime friend Maria (Anton, deceased) Schaffer. Family and friends may call Tuesday, March 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road in Stow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Cuyahoga Falls. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Masks are required. Maria loved her Catholic faith and held a special place in her heart for Immaculate Heart of Mary School, where 23 of her children and grandchildren attended. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Father McIntyre Fund at IHM, 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 44223.