Anneliese Cofer

Anneliese T. Cofer died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 26, 2017. Anneliese was born on February 17, 1933 in Luckenwalde, Germany to Elisabeth and Karl Tietze. Her father, a photographer, instilled in Anneliese the love of photography and music. She mastered five instruments: piano, saxophone, violin, flute and accordion. Her love and appreciation of the arts was unquestionable.
In 1949, at the age of sixteen, Anneliese left Russian occupied Luckenwalde and entered the Lette-Haus School of Fashion Design in West Berlin. She graduated in 1952, and thus began her lifetime interest in fashion, art and photography. While in West Berlin, she also met her future husband, D. Brooks Cofer, Jr., an officer in the military intelligence. The couple married on July 3, 1953. After Brooks was released from active duty in September, 1953, Anneliese and Brooks returned to his hometown of College Station, Texas, where they raised their three children, Andreas “Ken”, Annette and Anne Marie. Anneliese devoted her life to her children and their activities: cycling, horseback riding, and tennis. Her devotion to her family continued with her grandchildren. Anneliese was immensely proud of them all and one of her greatest joys was being able to spend time with them.
Although Anneliese maintained her proud German heritage, she received her United States Citizenship on May 31, 1957, and, in 1972, was awarded the Americanism Medal by the La Villita Chapter of DAR for trustworthiness, service, leadership and patriotism. Remembering how difficult it was to relocate to a new country, Anneliese always welcomed the new German brides in this area to her home. She made them all feel welcome and part of a new community. In 1989, Anneliese returned to Germany to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall and again in 2009 for the 20th Anniversary.
Anneliese actively supported the March of Dimes, Stage Center Community Theater, St. Joseph Auxiliary Pink Ladies, Chi Omega Mother’s Club, OPAS and Brazos Valley Chorale.
Anneliese enjoyed photography (she had her own dark room), square dancing, snow skiing, hiking, traveling and gardening. Her garden and deck were featured in Southern Living Magazine and her home was one of the first on the Garden Home Tours in 1970. The Cofer home remained a focal point for entertaining after Aggie football games, holidays, anniversaries, birthdays and her festive New Year’s Eve Party. Her love for style and architecture can be seen in her home and her daughter’s law office. A close family friend, Brett Vance best described Anneliese: “She was my inspiration in life. She instilled in me the lifelong passions that remain to this day of photography, love of design, art, architecture and detail in everything you do.” Anneliese touched the lives of many and her spirit and enthusiasm will be missed.
Anneliese was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, D. Brooks Cofer, Jr. She is survived by her children and their families: Ken and Val Cofer and daughter Lauren Curtis; Greg and Annette Scarmardo and their children, Audrey Arledge, Joe and Susanne Arledge and son Timothy Wade, Wade Brooks Arledge and Saxon Schell; Art and Anne Cofer McKellar and their children, Meagan McKellar and Gibby Sawtelle, IV and Jackson McKellar and Katelyn Powell. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Frank and Laetitia Haines of Houston. For the past several years, Anneliese enjoyed the friendship of her companion Steven Stuart. Her loyal dog, Rusty, remained by her side.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Callaway Jones. The family will be present at 10:00 a.m. to greet Anneliese’s friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions by made to Brazos Valley Chorale, P.O. Box 10644, College Station, Texas 77842, Aggieland Humane Society, 5359 Leonard Rd., Bryan, Texas 77807 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Condolences

  1. Dear Cofer family,
    I am deeply saddened to hear about Anneliese’s passing. I met her in the Brazos Valley Chorale three years ago and we had a special connection since I moved here from Potsdam, Germany in 2010 which is so close to Luckenwalde. I loved her typical German honesty and directness as well as her humor; she always made me laugh. I also loved visiting with her and strolling through her beautiful and peaceful garden. Due to personal reasons I didn’t participate in the choir last season and was missing her when I returned this season…

    My prayers and thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
    I hope you feel surrounded by much love.

    With deepest sympathy,
    Anne-Dorothe Davis

    Hermann Hesse, “Stufen” (Steps/Stages)

    “As every blossom fades
    and all youth sinks into old age,
    so every life’s design, each flower of wisdom,
    attains its prime and cannot last forever.
    The heart must submit itself courageously
    to life’s call without a hint of grief,
    A magic dwells in each beginning,
    protecting us, telling us how to live.

    High purposed we shall traverse realm on realm,
    cleaving to none as to a home,
    the world of spirit wishes not to fetter us
    but raise us higher, step by step.
    Scarce in some safe accustomed sphere of life
    have we establish a house, then we grow lax;
    only he who is ready to journey forth
    can throw old habits off.

    Maybe death’s hour too will send us out new-born
    towards undreamed-lands,
    maybe life’s call to us will never find an end
    Courage my heart, take leave and fare thee well.”

  2. We were saddened to learn of Anneliese’s passing. Our deepest sympathies are extended to members of the Cofer family.

  3. So sorry for your loss! I worked many years for Mr. Cofer and Mrs Cofer was always so nice to me. She was a beautiful woman!

  4. We are so sorry to hear that Anneliese has passed on. We enjoyed learning about some of her life experiences. Our thoughts and prayers for all of her family and friends.

  5. Anne Marie, Annette and Andreas,

    I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. Having recently lost my mother, I know how difficult this time is for you and your families. I pray that God keeps you in his care and provides you with his comfort knowing the Anneliese has finally found peace. She was such a wonderful friend to my mother and also supported me during some very difficult times. I will never forget her.

  6. What a wonderful lady your mother was! She was loved by all of the staff at dealers lighting as she treated us like old friends. She was a dear and forward thinking woman and will be sorely missed! My sincere sympathy to you on her passing.

  7. I send my deepest sympathy and love to you and yours. Gina Harp has ask of my prayers of peace for you all. I have read and heard beautiful words from many. What a gift she was to so many during her life. I am sorry I did not have the blessing to know Mrs. Cofer. I look forward to meeting her in Heaven. May God’s peace and joy be abundant to you all as you celebrate the blessings you were given by her.

  8. The Melvin Jean Allen family sends our deepest and heart felt condolences. We are keeping the family in our prayers.

  9. Ann and family,
    We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Cannon Ray and Debra Amos

  10. We send our love and sympathy to your family at the loss of Anneliese. She was such a lovely lady with a beautiful smile. I talked with her in the spring and we planned to have lunch. She was always talking about her photography and other interests. May God bless each of you with his peace.

  11. Ann: We do not know your siblings but on behalf of me and my wife Becky, please accepted our heartfelt condolences. After meeting your mother many years ago in New Orleans, my wife Becky, fell in love with her name and vowed that if she had a daughter she would name her after your mother. We did have a daughter and named her Analise. (We wanted a more Hispanic spelling). All my encounters with your mother over the years ALWAYS left me in awe.

  12. Oh, how your mom made us feel a welcomed part of your family and as such, so loved! We so fondly remember and treasure the great times with your wonderful mother! She will be missed but will remain in our hearts forever.

  13. Oh oh I had no idea that she had died! Growing up in CS my family and The coders always had Tea Together on Christmas or The night before I tried to maintain that throughout my life. So sorry to find out yesterday she was not on the planet, Brooks was my dear dear friend! Tisha was my brother’s great friend I miss them all

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