Manfred TETZLAFF

8 JUL 1928 - 14 JAN 2012

• BIRTH: 8 JUL 1928, Insterburg, Germany
• BURIAL: Vero Beach, FL
• DEATH: 14 JAN 2012, Vero Beach, FL

• MARRIAGE: 1956, St Joseph County, IN

1.  Monica TETZLAFF

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[N5720] Manfred Tetzlaff was born to Paul and Frieda Korn Tetzlaff on July 8, 1928, in the city of Insterburg in Germany. He was an older brother to Ruediger (Roger), Helga, and Wolfram. They family moved several times as his father was transferred in his position as a business teacher, but stayed longest in Angerburg, Germany where Manfred attended school. His father was killed in a bombing in World War II and he and the rest of the family became refugees who settled in Luebeck, Germany at the end of the war in 1945. Manfred went to trade school and became an electrician in 1949. In 1951, he moved to Bonn, Germany where he worked as an electrician for the U.S. State Department. Manfred was always interested and gifted in the study of English and he became interested in immigrating to America. His brother Roger had immigrated to the U.S. as a displaced person, and Manfred followed him to the U.S. in 1954. In 1955, he met his beloved wife Mary, and in 1956, they married. He joined her in membership of a German-speaking North American Baptist church and his faith was an important guide in his life. In 1964, his daughter, Monica Maria was born. Both he and Mary worked and saved their money in 1968 they moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where they bought the Surf n Sand motel. The family became members of the First Baptist Church of Vero Beach. The motel was directly on the ocean and he enjoyed jogging on the beach and swimming in the ocean every morning. Manfred also appreciated the fact that friends and relatives from around the world could visit at the motel, especially his niece Helga, his nephew Robert, and his nephews Carl and Paul and their parents Eva and Arthur, who stayed during the summer months and sometimes helped manage the motel. Manfred and Mary owned and managed the Surf n Sand until 1991, when it was sold. His daughter, Monica married Bradley Laird in 2006. In 2009, Manfreds granddaughter, Hannah Maria Laird was born and adopted by Monica and Bradley. In their retirement, Manfred and Mary traveled to Germany and Hungary to visit relatives and also visited the Middle East, Central and South America. Manfred had to slow down when Parkinsons Disease began to affect his ability to move and function. He lived in assisted living at The Place in Vero Beach where his wife visited as often as she could and telephoned daily. Manfred Tetzlaff left this life to be with God on January 14, 2012.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Manfred's memory to the AFSC, the American Friends Service Committe, AFSC Development, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. Please make a note of Manfred's name on any donations.

Services: A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 20, 2012 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach with Derrick West of First Baptist Church officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory in Vero Beach. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.