Margot Erika Waltraut (Tschauner) Kerby

Mamma was born on the 14th of April in 1925 at the small northern German town of Köslin, Pommern, not far from the Ostsee, the Baltic Sea, to Werner and Margarete Tschauner. Her father was a banker and his position provided a secure income while her mother tended to the family. His banking job often required moving the family. It was in the western German city of Köln where eventually they grew to six when Gunter was born in 1928, Helga in 1930, and Edgar in 1931. Helga passed away in April 2008 at age 78.



Mamma and Daddy met in Wiesbaden while working in the same U.S. military office. From the very beginning they were very happy together and soon thereafter they married in Zurich, Switzerland. Her fluency in English, technical skills and intelligence were key in obtaining good employment. After working fifteen years in Morse code communications, a secretary for aircraft engineers and for the American military she decided to concentrate on raising their five children, Daniel, Stephan, George, Christina, and Jerome. They brought much joy to Mamma and Daddy and their family flourished thereafter.



Mamma liked being in nature and the outdoors. As a child her family went to the beaches at the Ostsee, her favorite destination her whole life. In the summer she and Gunter would play on nearby farms and in winter she loved the abundant snowfall in Pommern. As an adult, with her own family, they often traveled to nearby Mount Lemon in Arizona, regularly went to the beach when the family lived in Puerto Rico, and vacationed at beaches in Italy and northern Germany. On the weekends, the family often traveled to the nearby Mosel and Rhine rivers to take in the scenery, culture and local foods. From her mid seventies to her late 80’s, three of her children and their family would vacation with Mamma and Daddy at the beaches of the Outer Banks in North Carolina.



What she really enjoyed was driving in the car with Daddy and just traveling on the road, watching the scenery passing by. They traveled throughout Europe and the U.S. in their car as the family moved from base to base. After returning to the U.S. Daddy was stationed at Maine, Texas, Arizona, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Germany, Nebraska, California and back to Nebraska. Even with all those moves, Mamma and Daddy maintained a strong and stable family.



Her first grandchild, Brandon, was born to Stephan and Teresa Kerby. Isabella and Nicholas were born to parents Christina Kerby-Kessinger and Alvin Kessinger. Sofia, her only great grandchild, was born to Brandon and Mary Kerby.



Stephan and Angel Kerby have been married since 1991. Daniel and Aroon Kerby have been married for more than three decades.



Mamma was always active, a tireless worker, typically working twelve hour days, except on Sunday’s, a day of rest in the tradition of her birth land. For fifty five years, even after her children had grown and left home, she kept her home neat, orderly and clean, rarely asking for help, making dinner nearly every day. It’s what she loved to do for her family.



Mamma was kind, caring, quiet and unassuming. She was very polite and respectful to family and friend alike. But she was happiest when tending to her home and raising her children. She raised us with loving care and provided a stable home environment. And she had a very friendly and gorgeous smile, a very pleasant person to be around.



Her sudden passing has been very difficult for our family. We felt she had been doing well. Our hearts are heavy, our minds filled with grief. Mamma was the heart of our family and now her heart beats no more. You are gone now but you will always be with us where ever we go. We shall always remember your vigorous work ethic, your love, kindness, joy and laughter that made us who we are and made our home such a wonderful place to live.



Thank you, Mamma, for all those beautiful years you gave us. We will always miss you dearly. We shall never forget you. Your life is our blessing. Rest peacefully and may God bless the beautiful person that you were.