Maria (Louise) Robertson, 87

Maria (Louise) Helena Robertson, 87, was born April 7, 1937, to Richard Fischer and Liesel Fischer (nee Jaminet) in Essen, Germany. She succumbed to cancer Nov. 22, 2024, in Hayden, Idaho. She is survived by her husband, Don, sons Brent and Grant, and her cousin, Yvonne Matthee, who lives in Germany.

Louise, having been born in 1937, had a vivid memory of the devastating war and its aftermath. Her father, who was a professional violinist and orchestra leader, was a veteran of World War l and II. He became a prisoner of war and died shortly after release. Her mother was a French Luxembourger.

Louise met and married Don, who was in the Air Force, in Bonn, Germany. After marriage, they made the decision to make the Air Force a career. They spent more than half that career in Europe. Louise's favorite assignment was USEUCOM in Paris, France. She kept the home fire burning during Don's deployment to Southeast Asia.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, they moved to Southern California where Don completed an 18-year career with Metropolitan Water of Southern California. In addition to home making, during the porcelain doll making craze, Louise opened the One Stop Doll Shop in Newhall, Calif., which was a great success.

On the first day of eligibility, Don retired from MWD, and they migrated to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where Louise became the very capable proprietress of the Coeur d'Alene Bed and Breakfast at the corner of Nineth and Foster. She did this for 18 years.

Upon full retirement, Louise continued homemaking, entertaining and playing Mahjong, Bunko and Skip-Bo with different groups of friends. She was saddened by the COVID crisis, which interrupted her gatherings.

She enjoyed many years of boating on Coeur d'Alene but did not enjoy fishing. She went on a grand tour of Italy with a group of folks from Coeur d`Alene, where she visited a childhood friend on Lake Como. She seriously discussed locating there. Later, she went on a nostalgic tour of northern Europe. She marveled at the change.

Louise did not decline with age; she was struck down by cancer.

When discussing her illness, she would say: IT IS WHAT IT IS.