Edie Teller

Edith (Edie) Elsbeth Teller passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024, in Forsyth, Missouri, at the age of 88 years.  Arrangements are under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel, Forsyth, Mo.  There are no services planned at this time.

Edith Elsbeth Teller was born November 23, 1935, in Rogzow, Pommern Germany.  She was the daughter of Fritz and Ilse (Hensel) Genske.  In many ways, the end of World War II would be the defining moment in Edie's life, as she, her mother, and sisters Anneliese, Elsbeth, and little brother Heinz first attempted to escape the advancing Russians on foot.  During this time the family later grieved the death of Heinz, as treatment of common childhood illnesses became impossible.  The family was ultimately expelled from their homeland and resettled in the district of Ostholstein, in Schleswig-Holstein Germany.  Brothers Helmuth and Fritz were separated from the family during this chaotic time, and settled in East Germany, after which contact with others was very difficult and sporadic until the fall of the Berlin Wall in late 1989.

Life in Ostholstein slowly returned to some sense of normalcy, with stability further established when sister Anneliese met and married Günther Ahrens.  But the unexpected and greatest change came in 1960 when Edie met Addison Robert (Bob) Teller, who was serving in the United States Army south of the seaside village of Dahme, where Edie worked at the beloved Dorfschenke Restaurant and Strand Hotel.  Edie and Bob fell in love and were married on September 17, 1960, in Oldenburg, Germany.

Edie's life changed forever when Bob's tour of duty in Germany completed in 1961 and they moved to America with son Volker, and daughter Barbara.  After Bob completed his service in the Army in 1962, the family settled in Denver, Colorado, the family continuing to grow with the arrival of daughter Carole.  After stops in Limon, Colorado and Boise, Idaho, the family settled in Florissant, Missouri in 1966, later welcoming the arrival of brother Mike in 1972.

Edie took great pride in her calling as wife and mother, instilling in her children the traits of love, hard work, honesty, and integrity among the many characteristics that were key to their successes in life.  While the early history of her life was central to who she became, and her iron will in the face of life's challenges, she was ever humble, never acknowledging the roots of what shaped her life.  But that strength will forever live in her children and in the generations to come.

After Volker, Barbara, and Carole left for college and the start of their lives away from home, Edie, Bob and Mike returned to Colorado in 1983, eventually settling in their beloved Bailey, Colorado, perhaps Edie's happiest years.  After Mike left for college, Edie and Bob moved to Aurora, Colorado to better look after and care for Bob's parents.  In 2021, they moved to Forsyth, Missouri, where Edie enjoyed the frequent visits of daughter Carole and her husband Joe.

Edie's favorite times in life were family visits and gatherings.  Many reunions with children, grand-children, eventually great grandchildren were enjoyed, and on a memorable 50th anniversary celebration, many more from the extended Teller family made for the most memorable of gatherings.  These were Edie's happiest of days.

Edie and Bob enjoyed staying in touch with their German family, with frequent calls to Anneliese and Günther, and visits to Deutschland in 1982, 1990, 1995, and 2000.  Edie was also blessed by her mother Ilse's (Oma to her grandchildren) visits to America in 1972 (for Mike's birth) and in 1977 and 1992.  Also memorable was Anneliese, Günther, and sister Elsbeth's visit to Bailey, Colorado in 1986 for Bob's 50th birthday celebration.  The connection to Germany continues with Edie's children, where visits with family have kept those ties close.

Edie was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Heinz, Fritz, and Helmuth.

Edie is survived by her loving husband Bob; two sons Volker Teller (Kristin) of North Ogden, Utah; Michael (Mike) Teller (Lynn) of Crestwood, Missouri; two daughters Barbara Jordan (Gregory) of Topeka, Kansas; Carole Reynolds (Joseph) of Forsyth, Missouri; two sisters Anneliese Ahrens and Elsbeth Evers-Stapp both of Ostholstein, Schleswig-Holstein Germany; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

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