Augustine M. Lier

Aztec
Augustine "Gusti" M. Lier
Nov. 26, 1927 - Nov. 20, 2014

Our beloved mother, Augustine "Gusti" M. Lier, passed away peacefully at her home, Good Samaritan Four Corners Village, in Aztec Thursday, Nov. 20th with youngest daughter, Anita, at her side.
Gusti was born and raised in Bonn, Germany, the youngest of eight children born to Eugen and Marie Volkner. On Nov. 24, 1956, she married Raymond Lier, who was serving in the U.S. Army in Neubruecke, Germany at the time. Gusti and Ray had five daughters, and the family moved frequently to various duty stations in the U.S. and Germany. Ray retired from the Army in 1974 and moved the family back to his hometown of Superior, Wis. where Gusti lived and called home for a long time.
Gusti was a devoted homemaker, wife and mother, always putting the needs of her family before her own. At the age of 55, she went back to school and received her accounting certificate and worked at Head Start in Superior for 11 years until her retirement in 1993.
Growing up in Germany and living through the horrors of WWII, losing her family's home and most of her brothers to the war played a large part in Gusti becoming such a strong woman. She would need this strength in later years for her ongoing battle with diabetes, surviving breast cancer and a heart attack, and multiple other health issues that she met head on and conquered through her later years.
No matter where life took her or what she was going through, Gusti had a special gift for making friends. Her warm, friendly nature and sense of humor endeared her to everyone she met. Gusti loved planting flowers...begonia's were one of her favorites, and watching the birds flock to the feeders, especially the little chickadees, was a favorite past time of hers. She was also an excellent crocheter, getting immense joy from making doilies and afghans for friends and loved ones.
After a decline in health and unable to live on her own, she decided to move to Aztec to be close to her daughter, Anita and her family. She dearly missed her close friends and family she had made during the 36 years of living in Superior and stayed in contact with many of them. Since making the move in March 2010, Gusti made many new friends at the Good Sams, and enjoyed playing bingo with them, despite her limited mobility in recent years.
Gusti is survived by daughters Irene (Lance) Williges - Collierville, Tenn., Lillian (Larry) Gambrel of Mountain Home, Idaho, Helen (Jon) King of Costa Mesa, Calif., and Anita (Paul) Peralta of Aztec. Gusti also leaves behind six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, both here and overseas. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, daughter Linda Lier, and former husband Ray, who remained a close friend of hers until his death in 1999.
The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Four Corners Village in Aztec for all they've done for Gusti and her family while she was there.
We will miss her beyond words, but take great comfort in knowing that we will all be reunited one day in Heaven! A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014 at Good Samaritan Four Corners Village, 500 Care Lane in Aztec. We welcome any and all who would like to participate. What more appropriate day to share in this celebration than on her birthday!
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:8.
Gusti's care is entrusted to Alternative Choice Burial and Cremation, 804 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, 505-325-9611. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com http://www.serenityandcompany.com.