Luise Elsa Kirkhuff

Luise Elsa (Gartner) Kirkhuff passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017, after a brief illness, to rejoin her beloved husband and best friend, Bob. Luise was born in Schönau, Germany on April 9, 1924. In 1925, Luise and her parents, Jacob and Elsa immigrated from Germany to Providence, Rhode Island. Soon after, the family grew to include three little brothers. In her early adult life, she was courted by a dashing young man named C. Robert (Bob) Kirkhuff. Their love bloomed and before leaving for London in 1942 to serve in WWII, Bob knew he had to make his move and propose to Luise. When he returned in 1945, they married and later moved to Decatur, GA in 1947 to setup their new life.

Bob passed in 2012 after being married to Luise for over 66 years. Luise and Bob built a wonderful life in Decatur. Most of her years were spent as an excellent mother and homemaker, but she also worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for several years at two local churches; St. Timothy's and Oakhurst. At home, she was a devoted wife and mother. Bob and Luise had three children, built their dream house, loved entertaining friends and family, and chaperoning Georgia Tech TKE dances/events. Luise was a devoted and doting mother. She loved designing and creating high-fashioned clothes at an early age. This talent quickly developed into an advanced seamstress, and she continued to create clothes for both her and her daughter, and later her granddaughter. She also was an excellent cook and organizer, which she passed down
to her daughter. Her older son inherited her superb artistic drawing and painting traits. Painting floral prints, nature scenes and various life works that adorn most of her friends and families walls with pride. Luise loved flowers and gardening, which was passed down to her youngest son. She was involved in several garden clubs and won numerous awards for her arrangements. While traveling, she would make Bob pull over on road trips so she could collect flowers to press for future art work. Later in life, she made pressed dried flower pictures from flowers she had in the garden, and ones she collected from her travels all over the world.

After retiring and becoming empty nesters, Bob and Luise loved spending time with their family and friends, hobbies and travels. They loved visiting her relatives in Germany and took road trips to see their sons and family across the United States. Luise lived the American dream. Immigrating from Germany at a year old with her family, and making a wonderful life where she was very proud of her home and family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, neighbor, and friend.

She is preceded in death by her husband, C. Robert (Bob); her parents, in-laws, two of her brothers, and several cousins. She is survived by her children: Mark R. Kirkhuff, Donna and James Smith, and Paul R. Kirkhuff; her granddaughter Lauren Smith. As well as her brother, Jacob Gartner and his family, and several cousins. Funeral services will take place at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Epiphany's Youth Pilgrimage or Flower Guild. A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033