Maria Fussle entered the Lord's presence in October of 1998 from cancer of the liver. The Fussles are our neighbors, and have been a tremendous blessing to our ministry. Heinz Fussle is a cinematographer producing many Christian movies and videos. Because of his ministry, this required being away from home for long periods. Maria stayed home with her children for 33 years.

What was so special about Maria? What was the influence upon my life? Maria was truly a Proverbs 31 lady. What did Maria do for 33 years while her husband was doing the Lord's work? Maria was content being a keeper at home. She was a hard worker - mowing lawns, weed whipping, caring for the family horse, etc. Often she would be out picking up horse manure from the acreage in buckets to put on her gardens and many flowerbeds. Several times she blessed us with her homemade Swiss breads. Our children loved these coffeecakes.

Whenever we talked, which was not often because we both had so much to do, we talked about the evil times and the second coming of the Lord.

When Maria was younger, she decided to add a basement to their home. Shovel by shovel, bucket by bucket, she dug under their house and completed the task.

Heinz Fussle was able to do "the Lord's work" as Maria often said, because he knew he had a wife that could be counted on keeping the home fires burning.

I miss seeing Maria in the field. Her big smile, weed whipping, burning, carrying manure or little chats. What a Godly memory and example she has left all who knew her. She is in a far better place, safe in the arms of Jesus, and I am sure she is still working and serving. Maria was a Godly influence on my life.