Sigrid Ursula Mauritz Priwo

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother Sigrid Ursula Mauritz Priwo passed away on October 11, 2022, due to age related causes. Sigrid was born on December 8, 1930, in Dresden, Germany, to Auguste Mauritz. She was raised by her grandmother, Marie Weiter Mauritz, in Polennen, East Prussia.

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Sigrid’s childhood was very happy until the horrors of WWII. When Russian soldiers were advancing into East Prussia in April 1945, Sigrid was forced to leave her grandmother behind to travel to a refugee camp in Denmark. She was only 14 years old and traveled to Denmark with her friend Lotti. After many terrifying experiences the girls arrived at the refugee camp and they lived a difficult life there for two years until the war was over.

In 1947 Sigrid reunited with her mother and was heartbroken to discover that her grandmother had died. Her mother helped Sigrid find work and in 1949 Sigrid found a new job at Café Meyer in Leezen, Germany. It was here that she met Erich Priwo, who was a baker at the cafe. They married and in 1950 they had a son, Freddy.

After the war, work was hard to find in Germany and Freddy suffered from asthma, so when Sigrid’s Aunt Martha, her mother’s sister, who lived in Salt Lake City, UT, offered to sponsor the family to come to the United States, they agreed. They hoped the climate would be healthier for Freddy, and they hoped for better work opportunities.

In December 1953 they traveled by ship across the ocean to New York City. Poor Sigrid —she was pregnant with daughter Monica and was ill for much of the crossing.

The family arrived in Salt Lake City and lived with Aunt Martha and Uncle John for a while, until Erich found work and they were able to rent an apartment. Freddy’s asthma disappeared, and Monica was born in 1954. Erich worked hard and always had at least two jobs to take care of his family. They purchased their first home and in 1960 daughter Sylvia was born.

Sigrid loved being a mother and caring for her family. Nothing made her happier than cooking and baking and seeing people enjoying her food. Her Christmas spritz cookies were legendary and were looked forward to all year.

Sigrid and Erich endured life’s difficulties and shared life’s joys and always enjoyed being together. They were forced to move twice because of Erich’s work — first to Concord, California, and then to Longview, Texas. After Erich retired they returned to the Salt Lake Valley to be near their children and grandchildren.

Sadly, Erich passed away in July 1991, and Sigrid was on her own. She had worked for Skaggs, American Stores Company, for 10 years and decided to retire in January 1992. She moved to a condominium in Murray and kept busy doing child care in her home. Her daughter Sylvia passed away suddenly in 2014.

One of Sigrid’s greatest joys was writing to and talking on the phone with her family and friends in Germany. They always meant the world to her.

Sigrid also had special friendships in Utah. Alice Niedermeier was her dearest friend over the years. They met in Salt Lake City in the 1950’s and bonded over their shared experiences with the war and coming to America. Margie Smith did Sigrid’s hair for over 20 years in her home. Margie and her family became like a second family to Sigrid.

Sigrid spent her later years puttering around her house and yard. She was ever grateful for her family’s visits and assistance.

After a fall in her home Sigrid eventually moved into Sandy Health and Rehab, where she was cared for until her death. The family would like to express their gratitude to Sandy Health and Rehab and Ability Hospice for their kindness and compassion.

Survived by son Fred Priwo (Sheila) and daughter Monica Emerzian (Steve). Grandchildren Jennifer Priwo, Jaclyn Perkins (Colby), and Michael Bontoft. Great-grandchildren Mackenzie (Alex), Tayler, Kylee (Andrey), Matthew, Cameron, Cade and Cassidy. Great-great-grandchildren Gracie and Kane. Cousin Alexander Mauritz, Salt Lake City.

Sigrid was preceded in death by husband Erich, and daughter Sylvia Bontoft Cooper.

Sigrid also leaves behind her many dear friends and family in Germany.

Member of Christ Lutheran Church, Murray, Utah.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 18, at noon at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah.