Maria Anna Olivares passed away in her home on October 9, 2013 with family and friends by her side.
Maria, daughter of George and Emma Schmitt, was born Maria Anna Schmitt on March 4, 1930 in Mannheim, Germany. In a chance meeting on a street car in Heidelberg, she met Jesus Olivares, an American soldier who, regardless of a language barrier, would become her life’s love and husband of 65 years until his death in 2011.
Maria had many adventures as a military spouse, eventually traveling the world with several children in tow. She and Jesus had eleven children in all. Jesus was initially stationed at Ft. Carson in 1951. The mountains reminded Maria of Germany, so they decided to make Colorado Springs their permanent home.
Maria and Jesus were long time members of the Germania Club, the Retired Enlisted Association, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. They performed volunteer work for many years with Divine Redeemer and St. Mary’s High schools.
Maria enjoyed knitting, crocheting and her dachshunds, and was well known for her excellent cooking and baking skills. She always worked hard, in and out of the home, to care for Jesus and her children.
Maria is survived by eight children: Ricardo, Orlando and Humberto Olivares, and Rosenda Schumacher, Sylvia Olivares, Estela Hermansen, Gloria Gordon and Maria Bargas. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesus; three children: Armando “Snookie,” Dario and Mario Olivares and one grandchild, Ricardo Olivares.
She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.