Maria-Elisabeth Johanna Mantius

Maria-Elisabeth was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1936 during tumultuous times and endured the hardships of World War II. Her first trip abroad was to Finland to visit a pen pal she had through school after the war. In the mid-1950s, she had the opportunity to work as an au pair and traveled first to France and then to the United States where she met her husband, Erich G. Mantius, also from Hamburg. The two lived between a small New York City apartment and a beautiful country home in Dutchess County where they raised their son. Several moves later which included 20 years in San Juan, Puerto Rico and 10 years in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, she settled in Sarasota, Florida in 2002. Her passion for birds, classical art, gardening, and animals was fulfilled by many acts of kindness and volunteerism. She was an avid birder and volunteered at the Audubon Society for many years winning awards for her dedication and service. She studied to become a docent at the Ringling Museum as well as Selby Gardens where she enjoyed sharing her accumulated knowledge to the delight of visitors of all ages from around the country and around the world. In her last year, she moved to Woodbury, Minnesota to live closer to her son and daughter-in-law.

Maria-Elisabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. John Albers and Maria-Elisabeth Albers (née Schween), and her husband, Erich G. Mantius.

Maria-Elisabeth is survived by her son, John-Erich (Sandra) Mantius; grandchildren, Andreas (Meagan) Mantius, Anders (Galina) Mantius, Annika Mantius, Maximilian (Jamie) Mantius, and Alessandra (Rene) Jurtinus; great-grandchildren, Alisa, Eva, Emma, Arthur, Olivia and Clark. Other close family members include Astrid Schween, Annette Schween, Joachim (Heidi B.) Schween, Percy (Ariane) Saucke, Albert-Ralf Saucke, Wolfgang (Heike S.) Pontow, Heiko (Barbara) Wilck, and Tobias (Wanja) Wilck. She is also remembered by many wonderful friends in Sarasota, San Diego, and Ontario (WI) with whom she shared similar experiences and interests.

The family would also like to recognize and thank the many caregivers at New Perspective Oakdale, Minnesota and Hospice of the Midwest, Woodbury, Minnesota who provided Maria-Elisabeth with so much love and dignity during her final time.

Maria-Elisabeth will be interred in Kirchwerder, Germany at the St. Severini Church along with her husband, parents, and other relatives.